Unit 3.1
Differences between Hay and Estar
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Introduction
Hay and Estar are verbs that have a similar meaning but are used in different contexts.
Hay is the impersonal form of the verb haber used as the 3rd person singular to talk about something undefined and/or unknown.
The verb estar is an irregular verb used to identify things and places in a transitory state.
Form
The verbs haber (hay) and estar are used in connection with different types of word classes and determiners.
Hay
The verbal form hay is used with:
- indefinite articles (un/una, unos/unas);
- short nouns (i.e., without a determiner);
- numbers;
- quantifiers (muchos, pocos, algunos, tantos, ningún, ninguna, nada…);
- interrogative adverbs (¿Cuánto…?, ¿Cuándo…?).
The verbal form hay is not used with:
- definite articles (el/la, los/las);
- possessives (mi/mis, tu/tus, su/sus…);
- demonstratives;
- Proper nouns.
Estar
The verb estar is used:
- definite articles (el/la, los/las);
- adverbs of manner (Bien, mal…);
- after demonstrative pronouns (este, ese, aquel…);
The following table sets out the conjugation of the verb estar in comparison with the single form of the verb haber:
| Persona | Estar | Haber |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estoy | |
| Tú | estás | |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está | hay |
| Nosotros/-as | estamos | |
| Vosotros/-as | estáis | |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | están |
Example
Hay:
- Aquí hay una talla de pantalón más grande;
- Hay mucha gente en esa calle;
- También hay cuatro gatos allí;
- Hay muchas arañas a la derecha de la lámpara;
- ¿Cuántos países hay al norte?
Estar:
- La playa está siempre llena de gente;
- La cena hace una hora que está lista;
- Lo que hacen los doctores está bien;
- Esos nunca están tristes;
- Aquellas están en Madrid.
Use
The use of the verbs haber (hay) y estar corresponds to different contexts.
- the impersonal form hay is used to:
- talk about the existence or location of people, animals, objects, and places;
- talk about something undefined and unknown;
- to ask about something in general that we do not know if it exists.
- the verb estar is used to:
- to express a temporary activity;
- to speak of a transitory state of mind and physique;
- to talk of the result of an action ;
- without an adjective when we want to locate and express where someone is (spatial location).
Summary
In Spanish, hay and estar are verbs that have a similar meaning but different uses.
For example:
— «Hay un libro encima de la mesa.» = To indicate the presence of something.
— «El libro está en la mesa.» = To locate something in space;
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
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