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"A eso de" is a phrase which is often translated as "around", and "por ahí" is a phrase which is often translated as "that way". Learn more about the difference between "a eso de" and "por ahí" below.
a eso de(
ah
 
eh
-
soh
 
deh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. around
A eso de las 3 am, sonó el teléfono.Around 3 am, the telephone rang.
b. at about
Vamos a estar ahí a eso de las 7 pm, así que va a haber tiempo de sobra hasta que empiece la película.We'll be there at about 7 pm, so there'll be plenty of time before the movie starts.
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por ahí(
pohr
 
ah
-
ee
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. that way
Tienes que ir por ahí para llegar al aula 32.You have to go that way to get to classroom 32.
a. somewhere
¿Viste mi camisa? - Sí, estaba por ahí en el dormitorio.Did you see my shirt? - Yes, it was somewhere in the bedroom.
b. over there
La granja está por ahí, al pie de la colina.The farm is over there at the foot of the hill.
a. around
Circula por ahí el rumor de que se han separado.There's a rumor going around that they broke up.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Era un grupo de 50 personas o por ahí.It was a group of 50 people or so.
Pili debe de tener 45 años o por ahí.Pili must be 45 or something like that.
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