¿Quién anda ahí?
/ˈkjen ˈanda aˈi/word by word
The phrase "who is there" in Spanish is translated as ¿Quién anda ahí?
¿Quién anda ahí? is used when you hear someone or something moving nearby but cannot see them, such as in a dark room or behind a door.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "Who walks there?" because the verb andar (to walk/go about) is used to imply presence or movement in a space.
Which one should you use?
While ¿Quién es? asks for a person's identity, ¿Quién anda ahí? specifically emphasizes the sound of someone being present or moving in a location.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb andar is used in the third-person singular to match the interrogative pronoun quién.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkjen ˈanda aˈi/
Did you know?
- The verb andar can describe a temporary emotional state, such as andar preocupado to mean 'to be worried'.
- The word quién and the English word 'who' are distant linguistic cousins. Both words can be traced back to the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root, *kʷos.
- Using ¿Quién anda ahí? in a casual conversation can sound like a line from a horror movie.
Examples in context
- Escuché un ruido y pregunté: ¿Quién anda ahí?I heard a noise and asked: Who is there?
Example conversation
Alejandro hears a noise in the dark hallway.
- Alejandro¿Quién anda ahí?Who is there?
- SofíaSoy yo, Sofía.It's me, Sofía.
- AlejandroMe asustaste, Sofía.You scared me, Sofía.
- SofíaLo siento, Alejandro.I'm sorry, Alejandro.
