vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Alrededor" is an adverb 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 "alrededor" and "por ahí" below.
alrededor(
ahl
-
rreh
-
deh
-
dohr
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Eché un vistazo a mi alrededor para divisar mi paradero.I looked around me to work out my whereabouts.
Mira a tu alrededor; este es uno de los lugares más bonitos de la Tierra.Look around you; this is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
por ahí(
pohr
ah
-
ee
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
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. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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.
