Topic arcade · Spanish grammar
Hay vs Está, learned by playing
Hay says that something exists. Está says where a particular thing is. Learn the difference the way it sticks: fast, repeated, with the rule shown after every answer and the sentence spoken aloud. 72 real sentences, two arcade games, no sign-up.
The idea in one minute
Use HAY for "there is / there are": something new, or something you are not sure exists. It never changes. Use ESTÁ or ESTÁN for where a specific thing you already know is. Hay never goes with el, la, los, las, mi or tu.
With un, una, numbers, mucho, poco, no article, or in a question.
- Something exists: Hay un restaurante cerca. — There is a restaurant nearby.
- A number of things: Hay tres manzanas en la mesa. — There are three apples on the table.
- Many, few, enough: Hay muchos estudiantes en clase. — There are many students in class.
- None, nothing, nobody: No hay leche. — There is no milk.
- Is there…? How many…?: ¿Hay una farmacia aquí? — Is there a pharmacy here?
With el, la, los, las, mi, tu, names and places. Está for one, están for more than one.
- Where el / la thing is: El restaurante está en la esquina. — The restaurant is on the corner.
- Where my / your thing is: Mi escuela está en el centro de la ciudad. — My school is in the city center.
- Where a named place is: Madrid está en España. — Madrid is in Spain.
- ¿Dónde está…?: ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the pharmacy?
Play it
A good order: start with Rush to build the reflex, then Slice to see the words side by side. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Sentences fall toward two bins. Send each one to HAY (there is) or ESTÁ (where it is) before it lands, and see the rule every time.
Four words fly up and one fits the blank. Slice hay or está and see the rule each time.
Hay or está? Pick 'there is' or 'is located' for each sentence, a calm multiple-choice check.
Same place, two ideas
The same spot can be described either way. Hay introduces something new; está says where something you already know is.
| HAY | ESTÁ / ESTÁN |
|---|---|
| Hay un gato debajo de la mesa. There is a cat under the table. |
El gato está debajo de la mesa. The cat is under the table. |
| Hay una biblioteca en mi escuela. There is a library at my school. |
La biblioteca está al lado del gimnasio. The library is next to the gym. |
| ¿Hay una farmacia aquí? Is there a pharmacy here? |
¿Dónde está la farmacia? Where is the pharmacy? |
Questions
What is the difference between hay and está?
Both can describe where something is, but they say different things. Hay means 'there is' or 'there are': it says that something exists, so it goes with a, an, numbers, many, some or nothing at all (hay un parque, hay tres libros, no hay leche). Está and están say where a specific, known thing is: it goes with el, la, los, las, mi, tu, names and places (el parque está cerca, mis libros están aquí).
Is hay singular or plural?
Hay never changes. It is the same for one thing and for many: hay un libro, hay tres libros. Está and están do change: está for one thing and están for more than one (el libro está, los libros están).
Can I say 'hay el libro'?
No. Hay introduces something new, so it does not go with el, la, los, las, mi or tu. Use está for a thing you already know: el libro está en la mesa. For something new, use an indefinite word: hay un libro en la mesa.
Which game should I start with?
Start with Hay or Está Rush to build the reflex, then try Hay or Está Slice, where four words fly up and you slice the one that fits. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and plays in your browser with no sign-up. Sign in only if you want to save your results and add sentences to your review deck.
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