Aca versus Aqui

Question

Are acá and aqui true synonyms? Or are they regional in their use? I noticed in coastal Ecuador the pescadores use acá exclusively.

Answer 1

Gofc said:

"aqui" is used for "around here" a notional area while "aca" is directly right here and somewhere you can actually point at and say "here", "aca".

That seems about right here in Guatemala where the people use both words.

Answer 2

Here in Baja both are used and it seems to be a personal preference although my girlfriend uses both but I have not been able to distinguish a pattern that differentiates them.

Answer 3

I remember being told when I asked the same question (not on SpDic) that "aqui" is used for "around here" a notional area while "aca" is directly right here and somewhere you can actually point at and say "here", "aca".

"I live here in Santiago." - "Aqui vivo en Santiago." "Put the bolt in this hole here." - "Ponga el perno en este orifício, acá."

Well I used to live in Santiago around the time when I asked the question. - geofc, Nov 24, 2012