Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| allí | /aˈʝi/ |
| ahí | /aˈi/ |
| allá | /aˈʝa/ |
| acullá (further than "allá") |
These words are adverbs used to indicate a position or location.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these forms depends on proximity. ahí refers to a place that is relatively close to the person being spoken to. allí refers to a place that is further away from both the speaker and the listener than ahí. allá is used for even more distant or less specific locations than allí, often implying 'over there' in a broader sense. Finally, acullá is used for locations even further than allá.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In some informal colloquial contexts, the phrase por ahí can be used to mean 'there' or 'around there', which implies an approximate or vague location.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈʝi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use allí and allá interchangeably. To be more precise, use allí when referring to a specific point and allá when the location is more general or distant.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, ahí is used in the expression ahí está to acknowledge that someone has finally understood a point or found a solution.
- Speakers may use allá to refer to a different country or a distant city even if they are looking at it on a map right in front of them.
- The word acullá originates from the Vulgar Latin eccum illāc, combining the Latin eccum and illāc.
Examples in context
- Voy a ir allí.I'm going to go there.This sentence shows how to express movement toward a specific location using allí.Tatoeba #6610233 by UsuarioX, translation #4442366 by CK
- La vi por ahí.I saw it over there.This sentence demonstrates the use of ahí to indicate an approximate location.Tatoeba #11737252 by Seael, translation #2406074 by CK
- Él no fue allí.He didn't go there.This sentence illustrates the use of allí to indicate a place someone did not go.Tatoeba #2240447 by marcelostockle, translation #290442 by CK
- El restaurante está allí.The restaurant is there.
- Vive en esa casa allá.He/She lives in that house over there.
- El evento tendrá lugar en ese lugar.The event will take place there.
- El cine está allí.The cinema is there.
- Deberíamos ir a ese parque allá.We should go to that park over there.
- La tienda está por ahí.The store is around there.
- Vivo por acá, no por allá.I live around here, not over there.
- La iglesia está ahí.The church is there.
- 1785 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking for a lost book in a cafe.
- Mateo¿Viste mi libro?Did you see my book?
- LucíaNo, pero dejaste tu café allí.No, but you left your coffee there.
- MateoTienes razón, gracias.You are right, thanks.
- LucíaDe nada, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “there” translations and entries allí, ahí, allá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acullá, ahí, allá, allí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
