What does ''aquí al lado'' mean in spanish?

Question

What does ''aquí al lado'' mean in spanish?

Example sentence:

''Sí, hay una aquí al lado en la calle Frida Kahlo''

''Sí, la cafetería está aquí al lado''

From what I learnt in class, ''al lado'' means ''next to'' and ''aquí'' means ''here'' but from the context it seems to mean more like ''near here'' rather than ''next to here''. Is this interpretation correct?

Also, what is the difference between:

¿Dónde está el banco? and ¿Dónde hay un banco? If they are the same, is one better than the other?

Thank you for your help in advance!

Answer 1

Well you are right aqui a lado means next to it. However when you say cerca de or near the means that is not really next to each other but close to each other. Donde esta el banco?  Donde hay un banco? Ok this two words are similar but not the same. When a person asks Donde esta el banco? Means the person knows were to go but need direction to get there. Donde hay un banco? Is when a person is not familiar with the area and needs to know were is the closes bank.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

well, it does mean "next to", but the 'here' is not needed.

yes, there is one near here on frida kahlo street.

yes, the coffee shop (or cafeteria) is next door.

that would be my translation.

Donde esta el banco? Where is the bank?

Use it when you know which bank you are trying to find...

Donde hay un banco? Where can i find a bank?

Use it when you just want to find any bank.

And i would say "yes" to the cerca de aqui and aqui al lado - at least here in Honduras. :D

Answer 3

here next to

Answer 4

Literally al lado means at the side, but it is equivalent to saying next door.

¿Dónde está el banco? - where is the bank ?

¿Dónde hay un banco? - where is there a bank ?

Answer 5

yes, it is "near here"

When you ask ¿Dónde está el banco? you are asking about a particular bank you are looking for.

When you say ¿Donde hay un banco? you are asking for any bank.

Answer 6

So does "cerca de aquí" and ''aquí al lado'' mean the same thing?

No Imperio.

"Cerca de aquí" means "near from here", "not so far" or "nearby" and

"Aquí al lado" means next door.

So, "Aquí al lado" is CLOSER FROM YOU/THE PERSON WHO TALKS than "cerca de aquí"