✅ "da" – more casual, used in everyday speech

It’s very common in speaking. It can mean “there” (nearby) or just “that place.”

Think of it like the way we casually say “there” in English.

Examples:

1. Ich bin da. → I’m there. / I’m here (in that place).
2. Die Bank ist da. → The bank is there.
3. Was ist da? → What is there?

✅ "dort" – more formal or specific

Used when you want to sound a bit more formal or point to a more distant or specific place.

Examples:

1. Ich war dort. → I was there (at that specific place).
2. Dort ist das Krankenhaus. → The hospital is over there.
3. Was passiert dort? → What’s happening there?

🧠 Simple Tip:

You can almost always use "da" in everyday conversation — it’s more common and sounds natural.

Use "dort" if:

1. You're writing something formal
2. You're pointing to something far away
3. You want to sound a bit more precise