The Verb Form "hay"

Notes:

  1. The written lesson is below.
  2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

The verb form “hay” has two meanings:

there is
there are

Examples:

Hay muchos libros en la biblioteca.
There are many books in the library.

Hay un libro encima de la mesa.
There is a book on the table.

Más ejemplos:

Hay dos baños en mi casa.
There are two baths in my house.

Hay cuatro océanos en el mundo.
There are 4 oceans in the world.

Hay un libro y una pluma en la mesa.
There is one book and one pen on the table.
or:
There is a book and a pen on the table.

When used in questions, “hay” has two different meanings:

Is there?
Are there?

Ejemplos:

¿Hay un hotel en el centro?
Is there a hotel downtown?

¿Hay algunos libros por aquí?
Are there any books around here?

Más ejemplos:

¿Hay muchos estudiantes en la clase?
Are there lots of students in the class?

¿Hay cuatro sillas en el cuarto?
Are there 4 chairs in the room?

¿Hay una chica o dos?
Is there one girl or two?

The verb form “hay” can also be used to answer questions.

¿Hay un hotel en el centro?
Is there a hotel downtown?

Sí. Sí hay.
Yes. Yes there is.

¿Hay algunos libros por aquí?
Are there any books around here?

No. No hay.
No. No there aren’t.

It is vital that you begin a collection of verb flashcards. This will be your key to success in mastering the Spanish verbs. We will tell you when you need to add a card to this collection. Begin by creating a card with the verb form “hay” on one side, and the English translations on the other side:

Verb Flashcards
Complete List

hay
there is, there are