por aquí
/poɾ aki/from spelling rules
The English phrase "this way" is translated into Spanish as por aquí.
Por aquí is used to indicate a direction or to guide someone along a specific path.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (through/by/along) and the adverb aquí (here), literally meaning "through/by here".
Which one should you use?
While por aquí refers to a path near the speaker ("this way"), por ahí refers to a path further away ("that way").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Por aquí is commonly used to express direction. In Argentina, por acá may be used to point out a direction instead of por aquí. In Mexico, Para acá is used informally to express direction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase por aquí is used to indicate a general direction or route rather than a single specific point.
Did you know?
- Using por aquí to guide someone often accompanies a physical gesture of an open palm, which is more common than pointing with a single finger.
- The word aquí is actually a combination of two distinct Latin words, eccum meaning 'this' and hīc meaning 'here'.
- In some colloquial contexts, saying por aquí can be a vague way to avoid giving a precise answer about where something is located.
Examples in context
- Por aquí por favor, Tom.This way please, Tom.This example shows how to use por aquí when politely guiding someone.Tatoeba #4329444 by pchamorro, translation #3724871 by CM
- ¡No entren por ahí, entren por aquí!Don't go that way, go this way!This example contrasts using por aquí against the direction por ahí.Tatoeba #10224879 by Shishir, translation #10224878 by espamatics
- Ve por aquí.Walk this way.This example uses por aquí to give a command to walk a certain way.Tatoeba #6690727 by arh, translation #1844219 by CK
- Le ruego que pase por aquí.Please come this way.
- Oye, los mejores tacos de la ciudad están por aquí.Hey, the best tacos in town are this way.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is showing Alejandro the way to the garden in her house.
- LucíaAlejandro, ven por aquí.Alejandro, come this way.
- Alejandro¿Es por este pasillo?Is it through this hallway?
- LucíaSí, el jardín está justo por aquí.Yes, the garden is right this way.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquí, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
