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A1 adverb #1,000 most common 10 min read

Lá

Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Lá in 30 Seconds

Explanation Lá in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'lá' is one of the first adverbs you learn to describe location. It simply means 'there'. You use it to point out things that are far from you. For example, 'Onde está o livro? Está lá.' (Where is the book? It's there). At this stage, you focus on its basic physical meaning. You also learn to use it with simple verbs like 'ir' (to go) and 'estar' (to be). It's important to distinguish it from 'aqui' (here). You might also learn the very common phrase 'Vou lá' (I'm going there). The goal is to understand that 'lá' represents a place that is not where you are right now. You will see it in basic dialogues about travel, finding objects, or describing a house. It's a short, easy-to-remember word, but the accent is important! Without the accent, it's not the same word. Practice saying it with a clear 'ah' sound. You'll also encounter it in 'lá em' followed by a place, like 'lá em casa' (at home/there at my house). This is a very common way to refer to one's home when one is currently somewhere else.

At the A2 level, you begin to see 'lá' used in more complex ways, particularly in combination with other adverbs and prepositions. You'll learn 'lá fora' (outside), 'lá dentro' (inside), 'lá em cima' (up there), and 'lá embaixo' (down there). These combinations are essential for giving and following directions. You also start to use 'lá' to refer to places mentioned earlier in a conversation, which helps your speech flow more naturally. For example, 'Eu fui ao Rio. Lá, eu vi o Cristo Redentor.' (I went to Rio. There, I saw Christ the Redeemer). You'll also encounter 'lá' in the context of time, referring to the past in a general way, such as 'lá no ano passado' (back last year). This level also introduces the difference between 'lá' and 'aí' (there near the listener), which is a crucial distinction in Portuguese that doesn't exist in English. You'll practice using 'lá' for distant places and 'aí' for things near your conversation partner. You might also start hearing 'sei lá' in casual contexts, even if you don't use it yourself yet.

At the B1 level, you move beyond physical location and start using 'lá' in more idiomatic and abstract ways. You'll become comfortable with 'sei lá' (I don't know/who knows) as a common filler and expression of uncertainty. You'll also learn to use 'lá' for emphasis in storytelling, such as 'Lá estava ele, esperando por mim' (There he was, waiting for me). This adds a narrative quality to your speaking. You'll explore the use of 'lá' to indicate approximate time, like 'lá pelas três horas' (around three o'clock). This is very common in making plans. You'll also notice 'lá' being used to reinforce demonstrative pronouns, like 'aquele carro lá' (that car over there), which is much more common in spoken Portuguese than just saying 'aquele carro'. You'll start to understand the nuance between 'lá' and 'ali' more clearly, using 'ali' for things within sight and 'lá' for things further away or more abstract. Your ability to use 'lá' in these varied contexts will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic and less like a direct translation from English.

At the B2 level, you'll encounter 'lá' in more sophisticated grammatical structures and literary contexts. You'll see it used in expressions like 'lá se vai' (there goes...), often used to express regret or the passage of time ('Lá se vai a minha paciência'). You'll also understand its use in the expression 'para lá de', which means 'beyond' or 'extremely' ('Ele está para lá de bêbado' - He is beyond drunk/extremely drunk). At this level, you should be able to use 'lá' to create a sense of psychological distance or to dismiss an idea. You'll also encounter 'lá' in more formal writing, where it might be used to refer back to a previously mentioned point in a text. You'll become sensitive to regional variations, such as how 'lá' is used in Portugal versus Brazil. For example, in Portugal, 'lá' is often used with the imperative to add a certain tone to a command or request ('Diz lá o que queres'). You'll also start to use 'lá' in hypothetical scenarios, like 'Se eu estivesse lá, eu faria diferente'.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'lá' and its many nuances. You can use it effortlessly in complex idiomatic expressions and understand its subtle emotional weight in different contexts. You'll recognize its use in classical literature and poetry, where it might be used to evoke a sense of 'saudade' or existential distance. You'll understand the use of 'lá' in very specific colloquialisms, like 'Lá no fundo' (deep down) used in an emotional sense. You'll also be able to use 'lá' to structure long narratives, using it as a spatial and temporal anchor that keeps the listener oriented. You'll understand the difference between 'lá' and 'acolá' in poetic contexts. Your use of 'lá' will be precise, whether you're using it to indicate a specific distant location, a point in the distant past, or an abstract concept. You'll also be able to use 'lá' to add a specific 'flavor' to your speech, such as using it for emphasis in a way that sounds natural and not forced. You'll be able to explain the spatial system of Portuguese to others, including the subtle differences between aqui, aí, ali, and lá.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'lá' is complete. You can use it with the same level of nuance and cultural awareness as a highly educated native speaker. You understand its historical evolution from the Latin 'illic' and how it fits into the broader Romance language family. You can appreciate and use 'lá' in its most archaic or highly specialized forms in legal or academic texts, if necessary. You are fully aware of the subtle sociolinguistic implications of using 'lá' in different regions of the Lusophone world. You can use 'lá' to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep emotion with just a slight change in intonation. You understand the most obscure idioms involving 'lá' and can even create your own metaphors using the word. At this level, 'lá' is not just a word you use; it's a tool you wield with precision to express the finest shades of meaning regarding distance, time, and perspective. You can engage in deep literary analysis of texts where 'lá' plays a key role in establishing the setting or the protagonist's state of mind.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Lá in 30 Seconds

Lá is the Portuguese word for 'there' (distant).
It is used for places far from both speaker and listener.
It can also refer to the distant past (e.g., 'lá em 1990').
It is essential for common idioms like 'sei lá' (I don't know).

The Portuguese word lá is a fundamental adverb of place that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to 'there' in English, but its usage is governed by a specific spatial logic inherent to Romance languages. In Portuguese, the concept of 'there' is divided based on the distance from the speaker and the listener. While aqui refers to 'here' (near the speaker) and aí refers to 'there' (near the listener), lá refers to a location that is distant from both parties. It often implies a place that is not immediately visible or is significantly removed from the current context.

Spatial Distance: In the Portuguese spatial system, 'lá' represents the third degree of distance. It is used for places that are far from both the person speaking and the person listening. For example, if you are in Lisbon and talking about New York, you would use 'lá'.

Eu quero morar lá no próximo ano.

Beyond physical distance, lá is frequently used to denote a point in time, specifically the distant past. When a Portuguese speaker says 'lá em 1990', they are using the adverb to 'place' the year in a distant mental landscape. This temporal use is incredibly common in storytelling and casual conversation. In Brazil, 'lá' is often used more broadly than in Portugal, sometimes overlapping with 'ali' (which usually means 'there' within sight). However, the fundamental rule remains: if it is far away, 'lá' is your best choice.

Emphasis and Vague Locations: Sometimes 'lá' is added to sentences simply for emphasis or to indicate a vague, non-specific direction. 'Vou lá' can mean 'I am going there' or simply 'I am going out/to that place we mentioned'.

O livro está lá em cima da mesa.

Furthermore, 'lá' appears in many idiomatic expressions that have nothing to do with location. For instance, 'sei lá' is the standard way to say 'I don't know' or 'I have no idea', literally translating to 'I know there'. This idiomatic richness makes 'lá' one of the most versatile words in the language.

Directional Movement: When used with verbs of movement like 'ir' (to go), 'lá' indicates the destination. 'Vou lá amanhã' (I will go there tomorrow) is a very natural way to confirm attendance at an event or visit to a place.

A gente se vê lá!

Não vá lá sozinho, é perigoso.

Ele mora lá no fim da rua.

In summary, 'lá' is more than just a translation of 'there'. It is a marker of distance, a tool for temporal storytelling, and a building block for dozens of essential phrases. Understanding its place in the 'aqui-aí-ali-lá' hierarchy is the first step toward sounding like a native speaker.

Using lá correctly requires an understanding of both syntax and the speaker's perspective. In a standard sentence, 'lá' usually follows the verb or the noun it modifies. For example, 'O carro está lá' (The car is there). However, its position can shift for emphasis or in specific grammatical constructions.

With Verbs of State: When used with 'estar' (to be) or 'ficar' (to be located/stay), 'lá' indicates a static position. 'Minha chave ficou lá' (My key stayed/was left there). This is the most basic use of the word.

Onde está o Pedro? Ele está lá no jardim.

When combined with prepositions, 'lá' becomes even more specific. 'Lá em' is used for cities, countries, or specific rooms (Lá em Portugal, lá na cozinha). 'Lá para' indicates a general direction or an approximate time (Lá para as cinco horas). In negative sentences, 'lá' maintains its position. 'Eu não vou lá' (I am not going there). In questions, it often ends the sentence: 'Você vai lá?'.

Temporal Usage: To talk about the past, use 'lá' before the time reference. 'Lá na minha infância' (Back in my childhood). This creates a sense of nostalgic distance.

Lá antigamente, as coisas eram diferentes.

Another important construction is the use of 'lá' to reinforce a demonstrative pronoun. While 'aquele lugar' means 'that place', saying 'aquele lugar lá' adds a layer of specificity and distance, common in spoken Portuguese.

Combining with Adverbs: 'Lá' is often combined with other adverbs of place to be very precise. 'Lá dentro' (in there), 'lá fora' (out there), 'lá atrás' (back there), 'lá adiante' (further ahead).

O gato está escondido lá embaixo da cama.

Você deixou o guarda-chuva lá fora?

A farmácia fica lá adiante, depois do banco.

Mastering these patterns allows you to describe the world around you with the same spatial nuance as a native speaker. Whether you are pointing to a mountain in the distance or recalling a memory from twenty years ago, 'lá' provides the necessary framework for expressing 'distance' in all its forms.

You will hear lá everywhere in the Portuguese-speaking world, from the busy streets of São Paulo to the quiet villages of the Alentejo. It is a high-frequency word that permeates every register of the language. In daily life, it is the go-to word for giving directions. If you ask someone where the nearest bakery is, they might point down the street and say, 'É lá na esquina' (It's there on the corner).

In the Media: News anchors use 'lá' to refer to locations of events. 'Nossa correspondente está lá em Brasília' (Our correspondent is there in Brasília). It establishes a clear distinction between the studio and the location of the news.

Estamos ao vivo lá no local do acidente.

In music, especially in genres like Fado or Samba, 'lá' is used to evoke nostalgia for a distant homeland or a past love. The phrase 'lá no meu sertão' (there in my backlands) is a trope in Brazilian country music (Sertanejo) that signifies a deep connection to one's roots. In casual Brazilian slang, you might hear 'E lá?' as a very informal way of asking 'And what about that?' or 'How's that going?'. You'll also hear the expression 'Sei lá' dozens of times a day. It's the ultimate 'shrug' in word form.

In Literature: Authors use 'lá' to create atmosphere. By placing an object 'lá longe' (far away), they create a sense of scale and perspective in the reader's mind.

A luz brilhava lá no horizonte.

Movies and TV: In soap operas (telenovelas), characters often use 'lá' to refer to 'that other place' or 'the other person's house' to avoid repeating the noun, keeping the dialogue fast-paced.

Eu não quero voltar lá nunca mais!

O que você está fazendo lá a esta hora?

A gente resolve isso lá na hora.

Whether you're listening to a podcast, watching a movie, or chatting with a neighbor, 'lá' is a constant presence. It's one of those 'glue' words that holds the language together and provides essential spatial context to every interaction.

For English speakers, the biggest challenge with lá is not the word itself, but the system it belongs to. English usually only distinguishes between 'here' and 'there'. Portuguese, however, has a three-way (or even four-way) distinction.

Confusing Lá with Aí: This is the most frequent error. Learners often use 'lá' for anything that isn't 'here'. However, if you are talking to someone and referring to something near them, you must use 'aí'. Using 'lá' in this context sounds like the object is miles away.

Errado: O que é isso lá na sua mão? (Unless their hand is very far away!)

Correto: O que é isso aí na sua mão?

Another mistake is confusing 'lá' with 'ali'. 'Ali' is generally used for things that are 'there' but still within sight or relatively close. 'Lá' is for things that are further away or out of sight. While Brazilians often use 'lá' where 'ali' might technically fit, using 'ali' for something in another country would be incorrect.

Incorrect Preposition Use: Learners often forget to contract the preposition 'em' with the article when using 'lá'. Instead of saying 'lá em o carro', you must say 'lá no carro'.

Deixei minha bolsa lá no escritório.

Overusing 'Lá' for 'Then': While 'lá' can refer to the past, it doesn't mean 'then' in the sense of 'next' or 'consequently'. For 'then' as a sequence, use 'então' or 'depois'.

Fui ao mercado e depois (not lá) fui para casa.

Ele não estava lá quando eu cheguei.

A gente se fala lá pelas duas horas.

Finally, be careful with the accent. Without the acute accent, 'la' is a feminine article or pronoun in specific contexts (though rare as a standalone word in modern Portuguese compared to 'a'). The accent on 'lá' is crucial for both meaning and pronunciation.

To truly master lá, you need to understand its neighbors in the Portuguese spatial map. The language offers several ways to say 'there', each with a specific flavor.

Lá vs. Ali: 'Ali' is 'there' within sight. If you can point to it and the person you're talking to can see it clearly, 'ali' is often preferred. 'Lá' is for things further away or hidden. Think of 'ali' as 'right there' and 'lá' as 'over there'.

O banheiro é ali (pointing to a door). O Brasil é lá (referring to a distant country).

Lá vs. Aí: 'Aí' is 'there' specifically near the person you are talking to. If you ask 'Como está o tempo aí?', you are asking about the weather where the listener is. 'Lá' would imply a third location far from both of you.

Acolá: This is the 'fourth' degree of distance, though it's less common in modern Brazilian Portuguese. It means 'way over there' or 'yonder'. It's often used in the expression 'aqui, ali e acolá' (here, there, and everywhere).

Ele andava por acolá, sem rumo.

Naquele Lugar: Sometimes, instead of the adverb 'lá', speakers use the phrase 'naquele lugar' (in that place) for more formal or descriptive emphasis. 'Lá' is the shorthand, while 'naquele lugar' is more specific.

A casa lá da montanha é linda.

Vamos lá ver o que aconteceu.

Eu estive lá ontem e não vi nada.

Understanding these synonyms and alternatives helps you choose the right word for the right context. While 'lá' is the most versatile, knowing when to use 'ali' or 'aí' will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O evento ocorrerá lá, conforme planejado."

Neutral

"Eu deixei meu casaco lá."

Informal

"Sei lá, acho que vou lá mais tarde."

Child friendly

"O brinquedo está lá no quarto."

Slang

"E lá? Tudo certo?"

Fun Fact

The word 'lá' has remained remarkably stable in its meaning for over a thousand years, serving as a pillar of the Portuguese spatial system.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /la/

US /lɑ/

Stressed on the only syllable. The acute accent indicates an open vowel and stress.

Rhymes With

Dá Há Está Olá Sabiá Pará Crachá Vá

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'lay' (English 'a').
Making it nasal like 'lã' (wool).
Not stressing the vowel enough.
Pronouncing the 'l' too darkly (like in 'ball').
Confusing it with the musical note 'la' (which is the same sound but usually unstressed in speech).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize, though the accent is key.

Writing 2/5

Easy, but don't forget the acute accent.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires spatial awareness.

Listening 1/5

Clear and distinct sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Aqui Ir Estar Em Onde

Learn Next

Ali Aí Acolá Longe Perto

Advanced

Para lá de Lá se vai Sei lá Alhures

Grammar to Know

Spatial Deixis

Aqui (1st person), Aí (2nd person), Lá/Ali (3rd person).

Preposition Contraction

Lá + em + o = Lá no.

Adverbial Placement

Usually follows the verb: 'Eu vou lá'.

Temporal Adverbs

'Lá' can modify time expressions to indicate distance.

Accentuation

Monosyllables ending in 'a' are accented (pá, lá, chá).

Examples by Level

O meu livro está lá.

My book is there.

Basic use of 'lá' with the verb 'estar'.

Eu vou lá amanhã.

I am going there tomorrow.

Use of 'lá' as a destination with the verb 'ir'.

Lá é muito bonito.

There is very beautiful.

'Lá' acting as the subject of the sentence.

Onde é o banheiro? É lá.

Where is the bathroom? It's there.

Using 'lá' to give simple directions.

Eles moram lá.

They live there.

Indicating a permanent location.

Lá em casa tem café.

There at my house there is coffee.

The common phrase 'lá em casa'.

Você quer ir lá?

Do you want to go there?

Simple question with 'lá'.

O carro está lá fora.

The car is out there.

Combining 'lá' with 'fora' (outside).

Deixei as chaves lá no escritório.

I left the keys there in the office.

Contraction 'lá no' (lá + em + o).

O gato está lá embaixo da mesa.

The cat is there under the table.

Combining 'lá' with 'embaixo' (under).

Fui à praia e fiquei lá o dia todo.

I went to the beach and stayed there all day.

Using 'lá' to refer back to a previously mentioned place (praia).

Lá em Portugal faz frio no inverno.

There in Portugal it is cold in the winter.

Using 'lá' for a distant country.

Coloque a caixa lá em cima do armário.

Put the box there on top of the cupboard.

Combining 'lá' with 'em cima' (on top).

A gente se vê lá na festa!

We'll see each other there at the party!

Common future reference to a meeting place.

Não tem ninguém lá dentro.

There is no one in there.

Combining 'lá' with 'dentro' (inside).

O que você viu lá?

What did you see there?

Past tense question about a location.

Sei lá o que ele está pensando.

I have no idea what he is thinking.

The idiom 'sei lá' expressing uncertainty.

Lá pelas quatro horas eu te ligo.

Around four o'clock I'll call you.

Using 'lá' for approximate time.

Aquele restaurante lá é muito caro.

That restaurant over there is very expensive.

Reinforcing a demonstrative pronoun (aquele... lá).

Lá na minha infância, não havia internet.

Back in my childhood, there was no internet.

Using 'lá' for temporal distance (the past).

Vá lá e fale com ele agora.

Go there and talk to him now.

Using 'lá' with the imperative for encouragement.

O problema está lá no fundo da questão.

The problem is there at the heart of the matter.

Abstract use of 'lá no fundo'.

Ele mora lá no fim do mundo.

He lives there at the end of the world (very far).

Hyperbolic expression for distance.

Lá vem a chuva outra vez.

There comes the rain again.

Using 'lá' to indicate something approaching from a distance.

Lá se vai a nossa última chance.

There goes our last chance.

The expression 'lá se vai' for loss or passage.

A cidade é para lá de maravilhosa.

The city is beyond wonderful.

The expression 'para lá de' meaning 'extremely'.

Diz lá o que realmente aconteceu.

Go ahead and say what really happened.

European Portuguese use of 'lá' with imperative for emphasis.

Lá em 1500, os portugueses chegaram ao Brasil.

Back in 1500, the Portuguese arrived in Brazil.

Historical temporal reference.

Se eu estivesse lá, teria ajudado.

If I had been there, I would have helped.

Hypothetical conditional sentence.

O sucesso está logo ali, ou talvez um pouco mais lá.

Success is right there, or maybe a bit further.

Comparing 'ali' and 'lá' for degrees of distance.

Não me venha com esse 'lá' vago.

Don't come to me with that vague 'there'.

Using 'lá' as a noun to criticize lack of specificity.

Lá atrás, eu pensava de outra forma.

Back then, I thought differently.

Using 'lá atrás' for the distant past.

Lá no âmago do seu ser, ela sabia a verdade.

Deep in the core of her being, she knew the truth.

Highly abstract/literary use of 'lá'.

A solução não está aqui, mas lá, na mudança de mentalidade.

The solution is not here, but there, in the change of mindset.

Contrastive use of 'aqui' and 'lá' for abstract concepts.

Para lá de qualquer dúvida, ele é o culpado.

Beyond any doubt, he is the guilty one.

Formal use of 'para lá de' for emphasis.

Lá se foram os anos de glória daquela empresa.

Gone are the glory years of that company.

Pluralized 'lá se foram' for past events.

O autor coloca a ação lá, num futuro distópico.

The author places the action there, in a dystopian future.

Using 'lá' to establish a fictional setting.

Não é bem assim, lá isso é verdade.

It's not quite like that, although that much is true.

Fixed expression 'lá isso é verdade' (conceding a point).

Lá longe, o mar encontrava o céu.

Far away, the sea met the sky.

Poetic use of 'lá longe'.

Eles andam por lá, sem que ninguém os veja.

They wander around there, without anyone seeing them.

Using 'por lá' for vague movement in a distant area.

Lá, onde o silêncio impera, reside a paz.

There, where silence reigns, resides peace.

Inverted sentence structure for poetic effect.

A questão reside para lá do que a ciência pode explicar.

The question lies beyond what science can explain.

Abstract philosophical use of 'para lá de'.

Lá se nos vai a vida, entre suspiros e lamentos.

There goes our life, between sighs and laments.

Archaic/literary inclusion of the pronoun 'nos' with 'lá se vai'.

Seja como for, lá estaremos para o que der e vier.

Whatever happens, we will be there for whatever comes.

Using 'lá' in a strong idiomatic commitment.

Lá no recôndito da memória, as imagens desbotam.

There in the depths of memory, the images fade.

Evocative use of 'lá' with sophisticated vocabulary.

O filósofo aponta para um 'lá' transcendental.

The philosopher points to a transcendental 'there'.

Substantivized use of 'lá'.

Lá, onde a terra acaba e o mar começa.

There, where the land ends and the sea begins.

Famous literary reference (Camões).

Não obstante o cansaço, lá fomos nós, rumo ao desconhecido.

Despite the tiredness, there we went, towards the unknown.

Using 'lá fomos nós' for narrative drive.

Common Collocations

Lá em

Lá no/na

Lá fora

Lá dentro

Lá em cima

Lá embaixo

Lá atrás

Lá adiante

Lá longe

Lá para

Common Phrases

Sei lá

— I don't know / I have no idea. Used very frequently in casual speech.

Sei lá onde ele foi.

Vou lá

— I'm going there / I'll be there. A common way to confirm attendance.

Pode deixar, eu vou lá.

A gente se vê lá

— See you there. Used when ending a conversation about a future meeting.

Até amanhã! A gente se vê lá.

Lá vem ele

— Here he comes (usually with a negative or sarcastic connotation).

Lá vem ele com os mesmos problemas.

Lá em casa

— At my house. Used even if you aren't currently at home.

Vamos jantar lá em casa?

De lá para cá

— From then until now / From there to here.

Muita coisa mudou de lá para cá.

Lá no fundo

— Deep down / At the back.

Lá no fundo, eu sabia que era verdade.

Lá pelas...

— Around (a certain time).

Chego lá pelas oito.

Por lá

— Around there / In that area.

Como estão as coisas por lá?

Lá em cima

— Upstairs / Up there.

Meu quarto é lá em cima.

Often Confused With

Lá vs Ali

Ali is 'there' within sight; Lá is 'there' far away or out of sight.

Lá vs Aí

Aí is 'there' near the person you are talking to.

Lá vs Lã

Lã means 'wool' and has a nasal pronunciation.

Idioms & Expressions

"Sei lá eu"

— An even more emphatic way of saying 'I have no idea'.

Sei lá eu o que aconteceu!

Informal

"Lá se vai"

— Used to express that something is gone, lost, or finished.

Lá se vai o meu dinheiro.

Neutral

"Para lá de"

— Beyond / Extremely.

Ele está para lá de feliz.

Informal

"Lá isso é"

— That much is true / You have a point there.

É caro, mas lá isso é bom.

Neutral

"Diz lá"

— Go ahead and tell me / Speak up.

Diz lá o que você quer.

Informal (Portugal)

"Lá no fim do mundo"

— In the middle of nowhere / Very far away.

Ele mora lá no fim do mundo.

Informal

"Lá longe"

— Way off in the distance.

O navio está lá longe.

Neutral

"Lá vou eu"

— Here I go (often used when starting a difficult task).

Lá vou eu limpar a casa toda.

Informal

"Nem lá nem cá"

— Neither here nor there / Indecisive.

A situação está nem lá nem cá.

Informal

"Lá atrás"

— A long time ago.

Isso foi lá atrás, no começo do ano.

Neutral

Easily Confused

Lá vs Ali

Both mean 'there'.

Ali is for things you can see or that are relatively close. Lá is for things further away or invisible.

O livro está ali (na mesa ao lado). O Brasil fica lá (em outro continente).

Lá vs Aí

Both mean 'there'.

Aí is specifically 'there' where the listener is. Lá is 'there' far from both speaker and listener.

O que você tem aí na mão? Vou lá na cozinha buscar água.

Lá vs Cá

Both are short adverbs of place.

Cá is 'here' (similar to aqui), while lá is 'there' (distant).

Vem cá! Não vá lá!

Lá vs Acolá

Both mean 'there'.

Acolá is even further than lá, often used poetically or for 'yonder'.

Ele mora para lá de acolá.

Lá vs La

Same spelling without the accent.

'La' is a musical note or an archaic feminine article; 'Lá' is the adverb 'there'.

A nota lá. Eu vou lá.

Sentence Patterns

[Sujeito] + [Estar] + lá.

Ele está lá.

[Sujeito] + [Ir] + lá.

Eu vou lá.

Lá + [Preposição] + [Lugar].

Lá na escola.

Lá + [Advérbio].

Lá fora.

Sei lá + [Oração].

Sei lá o que dizer.

Lá + pelas + [Hora].

Lá pelas duas.

Lá + se + vai + [Sujeito].

Lá se vai a chance.

Para lá de + [Adjetivo].

Para lá de bom.

Word Family

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; among the top 100 most used words in Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'lá' for something near the listener. → Use 'aí'.
If the object is near the person you are talking to, 'aí' is the correct word. 'Lá' implies it is far from both of you.
Forgetting the accent on 'lá'. → Always write 'lá'.
Without the accent, it's not the adverb 'there'. Accents are vital for meaning in Portuguese.
Using 'lá' for 'then' in a sequence. → Use 'então' or 'depois'.
'Lá' can mean 'back then' (past), but it doesn't mean 'next' or 'consequently'.
Saying 'lá em o' instead of 'lá no'. → Use the contraction 'lá no'.
Prepositions must contract with articles in Portuguese. 'Em + o' always becomes 'no'.
Confusing 'lá' with 'ali' for visible objects. → Use 'ali' for things you can point to nearby.
While the line is thin, 'ali' is generally for things within sight and 'lá' for things further away.

Tips

The 3-Degree Rule

Always remember the hierarchy: Aqui (1st person/here), Aí (2nd person/there near you), Lá (3rd person/there far from both). This is the most important rule for using 'lá' correctly.

Open Your Mouth

The 'á' in 'lá' is an open vowel. Make sure your mouth is open wide enough, similar to the 'a' in 'father'. If you close it too much, it might sound like 'lã' (nasal) or 'le'.

Master 'Sei Lá'

If you want to sound natural, start using 'sei lá'. It's the perfect response when you're unsure and sounds much more 'native' than just saying 'não sei'.

Spatial Awareness

Portuguese speakers are very precise about space. Using 'lá' when you should use 'aí' can cause minor confusion or make you sound very foreign. Pay attention to where the listener is.

Don't Forget the Accent

In Portuguese, accents are not optional. 'Lá' needs its accent to be 'there'. It also helps you remember that the vowel is stressed and open.

Identify the 'L' Sound

Portuguese 'l' at the start of a word is clear and alveolar (tongue touches the ridge behind the teeth). Practice this to avoid an English 'dark l'.

Use 'Lá' for Emphasis

In storytelling, start sentences with 'Lá...' to set the scene. 'Lá estava o castelo...' (There stood the castle...). It's very effective for narrative writing.

'Lá em casa'

Use 'lá em casa' to refer to your home whenever you are not currently there. It's much more common than just saying 'na minha casa'.

Lá + Em

Remember that 'lá' is almost always followed by 'em' when referring to a specific place like a city, country, or room.

Approximate Time

Use 'lá pelas...' to give an approximate time. 'Lá pelas dez' means 'around ten'. It's a great way to be less rigid with schedules.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'LA' (Los Angeles). If you are not in LA, it is 'Lá' (there).

Visual Association

Imagine a person pointing a long finger toward a distant mountain peak.

Word Web

Lá Longe Ali Aí Aqui Lá fora Lá dentro Sei lá

Challenge

Try to use 'lá' in three different ways today: for a distant place, for a past time, and in the phrase 'sei lá'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'illic', which meant 'in that place'. Over centuries, the 'i' and 'c' were lost, leaving the core 'la' sound.

Original meaning: In that place (distant).

Romance

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that using 'lá' to refer to people ('aquela gente lá') can sometimes sound dismissive depending on the tone.

English speakers often struggle because they only have 'here' and 'there'. They tend to use 'lá' for everything that isn't 'here', which can sound imprecise to Portuguese speakers.

The song 'Lá Vem o Brasil Descendo a Ladeira' by Moraes Moreira. The phrase 'Lá onde a terra acaba e o mar começa' by Luís de Camões. The common expression 'Sei lá' used in countless Brazilian pop songs.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

É lá na esquina.
Fica lá adiante.
Vá por lá.
Lá no fim da rua.

Making Plans

A gente se vê lá.
Vou lá às oito.
Lá pelas nove eu chego.
Quem vai estar lá?

Recalling Memories

Lá no passado...
Lá em 2010...
Lá na minha terra...
Isso foi lá atrás.

Expressing Uncertainty

Sei lá.
Sei lá eu.
Lá sabe ele.
Vai lá saber.

Describing a House

Lá em cima.
Lá embaixo.
Lá no quintal.
Lá fora.

Conversation Starters

"Como estão as coisas lá no seu país?"

"Você já foi lá naquele restaurante novo?"

"O que você vai fazer lá no fim de semana?"

"Lá em casa nós comemos muito arroz, e na sua?"

"Você prefere morar aqui ou lá no interior?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um lugar onde você quer estar agora. Por que você quer ir lá?

Pense em um evento lá na sua infância. O que aconteceu?

Escreva sobre uma viagem que você fez. Como era a vida lá?

Se você pudesse morar lá em qualquer país do mundo, qual seria?

O que você espera encontrar lá no seu futuro profissional?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Ali' is used for a place that is 'there' but usually within the sight of the speaker and listener. 'Lá' is used for a place that is further away, often out of sight or in another city/country. For example, 'O banheiro é ali' (pointing) vs 'Eu quero morar lá na Europa'.

Use 'aí' when the place or object is near the person you are talking to. If you are on the phone with a friend in London, you ask 'Como estão as coisas aí?' (How are things there where you are?). If you both are talking about Tokyo, you say 'Como estão as coisas lá?'.

Yes, as an adverb meaning 'there', it always has the acute accent on the 'a'. Without the accent, 'la' is either a musical note or a feminine object pronoun used in very specific clitic constructions (like 'fazê-la').

It is a very common idiom meaning 'I don't know', 'I have no idea', or 'Who knows?'. It is used casually to express uncertainty. Example: 'A que horas ela vem?' 'Sei lá!'

Yes, 'lá' is often used to refer to the distant past. Phrases like 'lá em 1990' or 'lá antigamente' help place an event far back in time, creating a sense of temporal distance.

You can use 'lá' or 'ali' depending on the distance. For something quite far, 'lá' is best. For something you are pointing at, 'ali' or 'lá longe' works well.

The basic meaning is the same. However, in Portugal, 'lá' is frequently used with the imperative ('Diz lá') for emphasis. Brazilians might use 'lá' more broadly for any distance that isn't 'here'.

'Lá' doesn't contract with 'em', but 'em' contracts with the following article. So you say 'lá no' (lá + em + o) or 'lá na' (lá + em + a).

Rarely, but in philosophical or literary contexts, one might speak of 'o lá' (the 'there') to refer to a distant or transcendental place.

Many common Portuguese words rhyme with 'lá', such as 'dá' (gives), 'há' (there is), 'está' (is), 'olá' (hello), and 'vá' (go).