Ici vs Là vs Là-bas
This short guide explains when to use ici, là and là-bas to point to locations relative to the speaker.
Ici
Use ici to indicate a place very near the speaker, often immediately at hand or right next to them. Think of the spot where the speaker is standing or sitting.
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Là
Use là to point to a place slightly farther from the speaker, often within sight but not immediately adjacent. It can signal a nearby location relative to ici.
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Là-bas
Use là-bas to indicate a more distant place, often out of immediate reach or further away in the environment. It emphasizes distance compared to là.
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Summary
In short, use ici for very near the speaker, là for a nearby spot slightly away, and là-bas for more distant places. These small distinctions help listeners picture exact locations.
Usage
Speakers sometimes reinforce these points with gestures, and context determines which word feels natural. Market sellers might say ici to show a bunch immediately at hand, while pointing là-bas for fruit across the street.
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Examples
| French Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🗝️ « J'ai laissé mes clés ici, sur la table. » | I left my keys here, on the table. | Speaker points to a nearby location. |
| 🪑 « La chaise est là, à côté de la fenêtre. » | The chair is there, next to the window. | Speaker indicates a place a bit farther. |
| 🌳 « Ils ont installé le pique-nique là-bas, sous les grands arbres. » | They set up the picnic over there, under the tall trees. | Location is distant from both speaker and listener. |
| 🧴 « Peux-tu me passer la bouteille qui est ici ? » | Can you pass me the bottle that's here? | Object within immediate reach. |
| 🧳 « Nos valises sont là, près de la porte. » | Our suitcases are there, near the door. | Shared but not immediate space. |
| 🚩 « Le parking est là-bas, derrière le bâtiment. » | The parking lot is over there, behind the building. | Direction given for distant landmark. |
| 📱 « Mon téléphone sonne, il est ici sur le canapé. » | My phone is ringing, it’s here on the couch. | Very close and visible position. |
| 🧴 « Il y a du gel là sur l’étagère. » | There is some gel there on the shelf. | Noticeable but not adjacent spot. |
| 🧭 « Nous avons garé la voiture là-bas, près du parc. » | We parked the car over there, near the park. | Far away reference point. |
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025