What are the differences between aquí,ahí,allá,allí,acá?
What are the differences between aquí,ahí,allá,allí,acá?
3 Answers
Aquí means here. The rest mean there. Aquí has the analog acá.
Allí is a definite place, "right over there"
Ahí can be definite or indefinite "over there"
Allá is almost always indefinite, "over that way".
It's really a matter of degree. In a lot of cases they're interchangeable. They can all be used both to mean space and time, and even the figurative "there". It also seems to be regional.
Actually, if you can hear the difference between allí and ahí in a casual conversation you have a pretty good ear, depending on where you are. I think it's more a difference in the written language.
Now you've added acá. OK. Same deal. Aquí means right here (definite location), acá means here (in this area where I can reach it).
El dinero está aquí = The money is here (I know exactly where it is).
Hijo, ven acá = Son, come over here (somewhere where I can reach you is fine).
There is very much a regional thing to it. I believe in certain countries (like Argentina) it is very typical to use 'acá', whereas in Spain it is used a lot less often, being almost completely replaced with 'aquí'.
As for 'ahí' / 'allí', it usually boils down to how far away it is whatever you are talking about. If you want to point out that something is just a couple of meters away, you would say 'ahí', whereas to say that something is several hundred meters away, you would say 'allí'. Anything in between is a matter of taste.
Oh by the way, this is related to the use of the determiners/pronouns too. 'Aquí': 'Este', 'Ahí': 'ese', 'Allí': 'aquel'. Just as you wouldn't say 'That object that you see here', you shouldn't say 'Ese objeto que ves allí', but 'Ese objeto que ves ahí' or 'Aquel objeto que ves allí', depending on the distance.
