Spanish grammar
Hay, está, es
Describe a place with hay, está and es.
From the scene En el puerto (At the harbour)
In short
Hay says something exists; está gives place or a passing state. Es says what something is.
- there is / are (existence) hay
- is / are (location, state) está
- is (identity, quality) es
- boat barco
- lighthouse faro
Your turn
Which one goes with is / are (location, state)?
Options: es · está · hay
Show answer
is / are (location, state) → está
How it works
Hay says something exists, with un / una or no article: hay muchos barcos.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Tranquilo. El puerto (blank) mi sitio favorito.
Options: hay · es · está
Show answer
Tranquilo. El puerto es mi sitio favorito.
Relax. The harbour is my favourite place.
Good to know
Está says where a specific thing is or its temporary state: allí está el faro, el mar está tranquilo.
Good to know
Es says what something is or its lasting quality: es un faro muy antiguo.
there is / are (existence) hay
Ramón
Sí, después de la tormenta. Hay muchos barcos.
Yes, after the storm. There are lots of boats.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sí, después de la tormenta. (blank) muchos barcos.
Options: Está · Faro · Hay
Show answer
Ramón
Sí, después de la tormenta. Hay muchos barcos.
Yes, after the storm. There are lots of boats.
is / are (location, state) está
Elena
Mire, Ramón. El mar está muy tranquilo.
Look, Ramón. The sea is very calm.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Mire, Ramón. El mar (blank) muy tranquilo.
Options: barco · está · hay
Show answer
Elena
Mire, Ramón. El mar está muy tranquilo.
Look, Ramón. The sea is very calm.
is (identity, quality) es
Ramón
Es un faro muy antiguo. Es precioso.
It's a very old lighthouse. It's beautiful.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) un faro muy antiguo. Es precioso.
Options: Hay · Está · Es
Show answer
Ramón
Es un faro muy antiguo. Es precioso.
It's a very old lighthouse. It's beautiful.
boat barco
Elena
Hay un pescador en aquel barco.
There's a fisherman on that boat.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Hay un pescador en aquel (blank).
Options: barco · está · faro
Show answer
Elena
Hay un pescador en aquel barco.
There's a fisherman on that boat.
lighthouse faro
Elena
Y allí, mire, está el faro.
And there, look, there's the lighthouse.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y allí, mire, está el (blank).
Options: barco · faro · hay
Show answer
Elena
Y allí, mire, está el faro.
And there, look, there's the lighthouse.
Common mistake
Not es or hay here. Condition right now.
Mire, Ramón. El mar está muy tranquilo.
Look, Ramón. The sea is very calm.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| there is / are (existence) | hay |
|---|---|
| is / are (location, state) | está |
| is (identity, quality) | es |
| boat | barco |
| lighthouse | faro |
More lines from the story
- ElenaTranquilo. El puerto es mi sitio favorito.Relax. The harbour is my favourite place.