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There is/are: hay

One unchanging word for „there is / are” — always „hay”, singular or plural.

There is/are something

A1hay + noun

„Hay” = „there is / there are”. One form for singular and plural: „hay un…”, „hay muchos…”. For indefinite things (un / una, dos, muchos), not specific ones with „el / la”.

Examples
  • Hay un supermercado cerca.
    /aj un su.peɾ.meɾˈka.ðo ˈθeɾ.ka/
    PLNiedaleko jest supermarket.ENThere's a supermarket nearby.
  • Hay muchos turistas.
    /aj ˈmu.tʃos tuˈɾis.tas/
    PLJest dużo turystów.ENThere are lots of tourists.
  • No hay problema.
    /no aj pɾoˈβle.ma/
    PLNie ma problemu.ENNo problem.
Common mistake

Está un supermercado cerca.Hay un supermercado cerca.

The existence of something indefinite is „hay”, not „está”. „Está” says WHERE a specific thing is: „el supermercado está cerca”.

Hear „hay” in Speech →
Now you

Now you.

First learn it. Then use it right away.

un supermercado cerca.
(existence → hay)
There's a supermarket nearby.
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