Hay: there is, there are
Pronunciation: eye (stress the capital letters)
Hay means “there is, there are” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: there is, there are
- How to say it: eye
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “hay” means and how to use it
Hay means “there is” or “there are.” It is the impersonal form of haber and does not change for singular or plural.
Examples with audio
- Hay una tienda en la esquina.There is a store on the corner.
- ¿Hay leche en el refrigerador?Is there milk in the refrigerator?
- No hay muchas personas hoy.There are not many people today.
Usage tip
Hay is both singular and plural: hay una mesa, hay tres mesas. Use hay for existence and estar for the location of a specific thing. Past: había (there was/were).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “there is, there are” in Spanish?
“there is, there are” in Spanish is “hay.” It is pronounced eye, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “hay”?
Say eye. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
Practice “hay” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.
Practice Spanish for free with Leo Read the lesson: Hay vs. Estar in Spanish