What is the difference between "Alli" (there) & "ahi"

Question

I have heard allí used for there but I've also heard "ahi" (sounded like agi). What is the difference?

Answer 1

The use of one or the other depends essentially of the subjective position of the speaker. Typically you will use ahí for places that are on your sight and are easy to reach inmediately. Allí is not in your next environment.

El cuaderno está ahí, en el ármario (probably in the same room) El cuaderno está allí, en el ármario (In the office, and now I'm at home)

Allí está Ana (she is, let's say, hundred meters far, you can see her but still not speak with her) Ahí está Ana (coming into the restaurant where you are having dinner)

Allí hace mucho frío (in other country) Ahí hace mucho frío (in the frozer, that is just in front of you)

Something to learn with pratice.

I agree... but this is tricky, because depending on context, the meanings could be reversed. For example: Q: "¿dónde está el teléfono?" A: "¡Allí, frente a tu naríz!" but Q: "¿Dónde guardaste el teléfono viejo?" A: "Ahí atrás, en el armario". - Gekkosan, Oct 25, 2011

Answer 2

There is not much of a difference.

Perhaps at one time there was, or perhaps in certain places there were.

See this thread.