Ahí o Allí

Question

What is the difference between these two spanish adverbs; 1) Ahí = There or 2) Allí = There

Answer 1

ahí is closer than allí, and as far as i know it is less used, mostly they use allí

Answer 2

"Aquí" and "esto/e/a" refer to things in space or time that can be easily reached, or where we can locate ourselves. It is "our space"; where we are.

"Ahí" and "eso/e/a" refer to things in space or time that are (subjectively) not too far from us, and they are reasonable close to the people we are talking to, whenever this applies; sometimes, this distance is more psychological than objective. You cannot be within that spacial or temporal reference. It is a "nearby space" within our reach, and within the reach people we talk to.

"Allí" and "eso/e/a" refer to things in space or time that can (subjectively) far from you, and the people you are talking to, if relevant. It is a "far away space" that looks distant to you, and the people you talk to.

English does not have this triple distinction, but you can find something similar in other languages like Japanese.

is what lazarus1907 said in another forum and i completely agree with him

actually, we do have the distinction, but the word for it is not used any more. it used to be "yonder - Himself12794, Apr 6, 2012

Jeje... it's used here in the South. =] - DJ_Huero, Apr 6, 2012

(the word yonder that is) - DJ_Huero, Apr 6, 2012

Answer 3

I would like to support what 201286 said and just specify a little further, ahí is like right there as in you could step on it. Allí is there close, but you'd need to take a step or two to interact with it. As well, I'm sure allá will soon come into the question because it also means there however it's the most general (and possibly distant) of them all. Hope that helps amiga.