Spanish Phrase
Sí, están por ahí.
Meaning
A short affirmative answer meaning “Yes, they’re over there.” It confirms the whereabouts of a plural subject (people, objects, animals) that the speaker is pointing to or has just been asked about.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks where a group of things or people is, and you want to give a quick, informal confirmation that they are nearby but not exactly pinpointed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Síestánporahí
Sí (affirmation)
Used to answer positively to a yes‑no question or to confirm a statement.
están (verb estar, 3rd pl)
Third‑person plural present of estar, used for temporary location or state.
por ahí (locative phrase)
Literally “by there”, it indicates an approximate or nearby location, less precise than allí.
🗨In Conversation
¿Dónde están los libros que dejé en la sala?
Where are the books I left in the living room?
Sí, están por ahí, sobre la mesa.
Yes, they’re over there, on the table.
✕Common Mistakes
Sí, están en ahí.
The preposition “en” does not combine with “ahí”; use the fixed phrase “por ahí”.
Sí, están allí por ahí.
Mixing two locative adverbs is redundant; choose one.
Sí, está por ahí.
If the subject is plural, the verb must agree (están).
↔Alternatives
Sí, están allí.
Yes, they’re there.
Sí, están cerca.
Yes, they’re nearby.
Sí, están por aquí.
Yes, they’re around here.
Cultural Tip
“Por ahí” is colloquial and conveys a sense of “around that area” rather than an exact spot. In formal contexts you might prefer “allí” or “en ese lugar”. Also, Spanish speakers often pair it with a clarifying noun (e.g., “por ahí, en la cocina”) to give a bit more precision.