ahí está
/ai esta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "there it is" is translated in Spanish as ahí está.
The phrase is used to point out the location of an object or person that has been found or mentioned.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ahí (there) and está (is/located).
Which one should you use?
While ahí está refers to something relatively close to the listener, allí está is used for something further away from both the speaker and the listener.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb está is used because the phrase refers to the location of an object or person rather than an inherent characteristic. To say "there they are" for multiple people or objects, change the verb to the plural form ahí están.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, ahí está is used as a sarcastic response to someone stating something obvious, similar to saying 'no duh' or 'obviously' in English.
- The word ahí contains a historical link to the Latin word ibi, which is the ancestor of many modern Romance words for 'there'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you find a lost object and want to celebrate, you might shout ¡ahí lo tienes! instead of ahí está, which literally means 'there you have it'.
Examples in context
- Ahí está.There it is.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase ahí está.Tatoeba #1098544 by Espi, translation #1098328 by cntrational
- Por favor, busque el archivo en la carpeta marcada. Ahí está el documento que necesita revisar.Please, look for the file in the labeled folder. There it is, the document you need to review.
- He aquí el informe final de nuestro proyecto.Here is the final report of our project.
- Señor García, aquí está su nuevo automóvil. Allí lo tiene.Mr. García, here is your new car. There you have it.
- Oye, mira eso. Ahí está el lugar donde nos encontraremos mañana.Hey, look at that. There's the place where we'll meet tomorrow.
- ¡Allí está David! No lo veía desde hace años.There he is! I haven't seen him in years.
- ¡Ahí está tu libro!There is your book!
- Mira, ahí está el gato.Look, there is the cat.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking for a remote control.
- Lucía¿Dónde está el control?Where is the remote?
- JavierCreo que está bajo el sofá.I think it's under the sofa.
- Lucía¡Ahí está!There it is!
- JavierQué bueno que lo encontramos.I'm glad we found it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
