The adverb here can be used to refer to "this place": "I like the food here."
Here it is a term that comes from the Latin expression ecum hic . It is a demonstrative adverb that can be used in different ways, although it also sometimes appears as an interjection .
Adverbs are words that usually have lexical meaning and that are able to change the meaning of different categories. Its elements are tonic and invariable. In the specific case of demonstrative adverbs, they are used to indicate or show a way, a time or a place.
Interjections , on the other hand, are invariable words that express feelings or impressions or that develop an appeal. The elements of interjections make it possible to form exclamatory statements.
Uses from here
To understand what the adverb here refers to, it is essential to know the context of use. The first meaning mentioned in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) indicates that here it refers to “in this place” ; Of course, what “this place” is varies from case to case.
Let's look at an example : “I like the cannelloni they make here.” The speaker is mentioning that he enjoys a certain type of pasta that is prepared in the place where he is at that moment. It can be assumed that the person is in a restaurant or a pasta factory. The important thing is to keep in mind that, if that same subject makes that comment in another physical space, the “here” changes.
Here it can also be understood as “to this place” . In this way, when a parent tells his child “Come here, I have to show you something,” he is communicating that he wants him to move to the room or the precise point where he is located.
To understand the meaning of "here" you have to pay attention to the context.
When here it is associated with “this place” , it can be used preceded by a preposition or refer to something that was just mentioned: “Excuse me, have you seen a black poodle dog around here? My pet has just escaped and I can't find it” , “Up to this point I have dedicated myself to explaining the reasons for my decision; “Now I am going to focus on how we will implement the measure.”
Other uses of the demonstrative adverb
As a demonstrative adverb , here it is also used with the following meanings : “then” , “now” , “at this point” or “at this” .
In this way, we can hear or read phrases like “He has already achieved the presidency of the club; From here on, your responsibility is greater” , “The government expects five hundred thousand vaccines to arrive within ten days” and “Pedro thinks I am lying and here lies the key to the matter, since I am telling the truth” .
Here in colloquial language and as an interjection
Colloquially, here it is used to highlight the intervention or presence of a person or to reflect the closeness of the other: “Here Ramiro, my friend from high school,” “Here my husband, who is never wrong.” As an interjection, here it is used to invoke help: “The police are here!” .
Several adverbial phrases , finally, are formed with the term here : “I am from here to there, I do not have a fixed place of work since I have multiple meetings and visit my clients,” “No matter what they say, this is wrong here.” and there.”