French word

ici

Pronunciation

IPA/isi/

Meaning

  • adverbhere

Example

C'est ici.

It's here.

Illustration for ici (here)

More examples

On se voit ici demain.

We'll see each other here tomorrow.

Core concept

A nearby or indicated spot held in view as the current place.

Common phrases

  • être ici

    be here

  • rester ici

    stay here

  • d'ici

    from here

Similar words

là: Refers to a location away from the speaker or not clearly specified.
voici: Introduces and presents someone or something in view.
voilà: Calls attention to something by showing where it is.
ici-même: Marks the precise spot immediately nearby where something is located.

Definition in French

Indique qu'une personne ou une chose se trouve au même lieu que le locuteur ou à l'endroit indiqué.

Word origin

The French adverb ici developed from Latin hic through Old French, where forms such as ici and icy gradually led to the modern form.

Usage tips

  • The c in ici has the soft /s/ sound, so ici is pronounced roughly ee-see rather than with an English /k/ sound.

Opposites

Related words

  • ici-mêmeright hereadverb

Word lists with this word