when do u use "aca" and when do u use "aqui"? they both mean the same thing so do u use them at any particluar time?
2006-07-10 18:25:22 · 21 answers · asked by zoooooom!!! 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
In my interactions with native speakers of Spanish, I have sensed a difference between the usage of "acá" and "aquí". You are right that they both refer to the area around the speaker; however, it seems to me that acá is talking about a smaller, more immediate around the speaker than aquí. For example, if you are referring to something in the same building, it could be aquí, but if you are talking about something in the same room, it could be acá. I would translate aquí as "here" and acá as "right here".
The person who said that acá was far away and aquí was closer got it a little mixed up, I think.
You could also have a similar discussion about the meanings of ahí, allí, and allá.
2006-07-11 16:10:09 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you this. If I want to tell someone to come to me in an informal way, I say "ven aca." Just about any other time I use aqui. And contrary to what someone has posted. Aca IS used in Mexico. If you're having a conversation with a native speaker, they will know what you mean if you use either one.
2006-07-11 04:25:53 · answer #2 · answered by Amish B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are interchangeable. Since everywhere you go there is a dialect, or certain words that are more common than others.
I had always learned the word was aqui. When I lived in Argentina, aca was by far more common. It comes down to which one rolls off your tongue better. Aqui always seemed more formal to me, a little more pretentious, while aca was a little more brazen, and little more down home.
2006-07-11 01:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by mickjam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well 'aca' means over there and 'aqui' means right here so use the correct term according to where you are talking about.
2006-07-11 01:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by tejasred2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aca and Aqui mean essentially "over here" and "right here", respectively. Aca is used more when you're talking about movement, like "Ven por aca" meaning come over here. Aqui is used more for placement, like "Ponlo aqui" meaning put it here.
2006-07-11 01:56:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends of the country you use it because at least in Costa Rica we only use "aqui" not too much "aca" but the first is not too much specific to say where something is like if you dont see something or if you point at it and the second is like you dont know where it is but is close to you and something you can see.
2006-07-11 01:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by Puravida 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think aca is used extensively in Argentina and aqui in Mexico
2006-07-11 01:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by adriana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aca is used to describe the general area of 'here' while aqui can be used to specify an exact location (i.e. where you are standing).
Examples: Aca- Where is pablo? Donde esta Pablo?
Pablo is here somewhere. Pablo esta aca.
Aqui- Where is Pablo?
Pablo is here. (right behind me, to my side, close enough to motion with my hand) Pablo esta AQUI.
2006-07-11 01:31:30 · answer #8 · answered by Benjamin G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's see... "aqui" is used as in "right here" and for things that are closer to you... "aca" is more like "over here".
2006-07-11 01:31:38 · answer #9 · answered by jade.made 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends How you want to use it! For a example " Aca en California hace calor" " Over her In Cali is hot" Aqui en LA esta caliente" "Here in LA is hot"
2006-07-11 01:32:26 · answer #10 · answered by Lola 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think, not 100% sure though, that "aca" is slang or spanglish, and "aqui" is the proper way to say here.
2006-07-11 01:30:04 · answer #11 · answered by awcr04 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋