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"Por eso" is a phrase which is often translated as "that's why", and "por ahí" is a phrase which is often translated as "that way". Learn more about the difference between "por eso" and "por ahí" below.
por eso(
pohr
eh
-
soh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. that's why
Está lloviendo. Por eso todo el mundo anda con paraguas.It's raining. That's why everyone has an umbrella out.
b. that is why
Alberto está cocinando, por eso huele tan bien en la casa.Alberto is cooking, that is why it smells so good in the house.
c. so
Me sentía sola y necesitaba hablar con alguien, por eso te llamé.I felt lonely and needed to talk to someone, so I called you.
d. for that reason
¿Por qué viniste a Nueva York? - Vine a esta ciudad para estudiar interpretación. Lo hice solamente por eso.Why did you come to New York? - I came to this city to study acting. I did it only for that reason.
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.