Aquí vs Allí vs Ahí
This short guide explains when to use aquí, ahí and allí to point to locations relative to the speaker and listener. Each section gives quick examples so you can feel the difference in natural contexts.
🔎Audio Example
¿Dónde dejé mi teléfono: aquí, ahí o allí?
Aquí
Use aquí to indicate something very near the speaker, often within arm's reach or immediately at hand. Think of the object being "right here" next to you.
📍Audio Example
Lo dejé aquí, encima de la mesa.
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 👜 Lo guardé aquí en mi bolso. | I put it here in my bag. |
| 🪑 Estoy sentado aquí junto a la ventana. | I am sitting here next to the window. |
| 🗝️ Las llaves están aquí encima de la mesa. | The keys are here on the table. |
| 📖 Mira el libro que está aquí en la estantería. | Look at the book that is here on the shelf. |
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Allí
Use allí to point to a place farther from both the speaker and listener, often out of reach or at a noticeable distance. It signals "over there" relative to the conversation.
🗺️Audio Example
Creo que la tienda está allí, al final de la calle.
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🏬 La cafetería queda allí, junto al parque. | The café is over there, next to the park. |
| 🗼 Vimos el monumento y dijimos: está allí. | We saw the monument and said: it's over there. |
| 🚏 El autobús para allí, no aquí. | The bus stops over there, not here. |
| 🔦 Allí hay una luz que brilla en la esquina. | There is a light shining over there on the corner. |
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Ahí
Use ahí for an intermediate location, often near the listener or a short distance from the speaker. It can mark a spot that is not as close as aquí but not as distant as allí.
🗝️Audio Example
¿Dejaste las llaves ahí, sobre el mostrador?
| Spanish Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧴 Pon la botella ahí, junto al fregadero. | Put the bottle there, next to the sink. |
| 🧢 Coloca la gorra ahí en la silla, por favor. | Place the cap there on the chair, please. |
| 🧽 Dejé la esponja ahí para que se seque. | I left the sponge there to dry. |
| 🕶️ Tus gafas están ahí encima del libro. | Your glasses are there on top of the book. |
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Summary
In short, use aquí for very near the speaker, ahí for a nearby spot often relative to the listener, and allí for more distant places. These small distinctions help listeners picture exact locations and make speech sound natural.
🧭Audio Example
Busco mis gafas: no están aquí, quizá estén ahí o allí.
Usage
Practice switching these words in real situations: point to an object, ask where something is, and notice whether the item is within reach (aquí), slightly away (ahí), or farther off (allí). Short dialogues and physical gestures speed up learning.
🔦Audio Example
Si no las encuentras aquí, mira ahí primero, y luego allí.
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Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025