fuera/afuera
7
votes
I'm confused about the use of "afuera" as opposed to "fuera" (in the sense of "outside" or "out"), as I can't seem to find any form of pattern or regular rule to when each is used. Is there any real difference or are they essentially interchangeable, like aquí/acá?
14251 views
updated Jan 16, 2013
posted by Copernicus
Hi and welcome to the forum. Good question, I have wondered this myself at times. :) - Nicole-B, May 5, 2011
3 Answers
3
votes
This previous thread may shed some light on it for you: Fuera vs Afuera
Keep in mind these are used differently in Latin America and Spain. In Spain, the tendency is to use afuera with motion verbs, the same way that adonde is used, and to use fuera with state verbs. Estoy fuera (I'm outside), voy afuera (I'm going outside). But in Latin America, afuera is used for both.
updated May 14, 2011
posted by Kiwi-Girl
hey thanks, didn't notice that one :) yes I learned my spanish in Chile, which would probably explain the lack of distinction. - Copernicus, May 14, 2011
2
votes
updated May 14, 2011
edited by 0074b507
posted by 0074b507
Good info Q but if Copernicus is not sure about fuera/afuera then perhaps it'll be a stretch to read the info in Spanish (allthough his profile says 'advanced') - Kiwi-Girl, May 5, 2011
thank you Q, I generally like technical explanations as I find knowing the "why" of a usage helps me understand it better. - Copernicus, May 14, 2011
1
vote
You can say Ella esta afuera=She is outside or Fuera!=Get out!
So afuera means outside 
updated May 5, 2011
posted by 00a4c226
