Learn to distinguish "haber" and "estar" in Spanish through practical examples like "hay un armario" (there is a wardrobe) for unspecified objects, and "el lavabo está en el baño" (the sink is in the bathroom) for specific locations.
- "Hay" indicates existence with "un, una" or without an article.
- "Estar" indicates location or condition with "el, la, los, las".
| Verbo (Verb) | Ejemplo (Example) | |
|---|---|---|
| Objeto o lugar no especificado (Unspecified object or place) | Hay | Hay un armario en la habitación. (There is a wardrobe in the room.) |
| Hay dos sillas en el salón. (There are two chairs in the living room.) | ||
| Hay lámparas en tu habitación. (There are lamps in your room.) | ||
| Objeto o lugar específico (Specific object or place) | Estar | La cómoda está al lado de la cama. (The chest of drawers is next to the bed.) |
| El lavabo está en el baño. (The sink is in the bathroom.) | ||
| Los escritorios están cerca de la ventana. (The desks are are near the window.) |
Exceptions!
- "Hay" always has the same form in the present, while "estar" is conjugated.
Exercise 1: "Haber" vs "Estar" : artículo indeterminado vs determinado
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
hay, Hay, hay un, está, Hay unas, Hay una
Exercise 2: Dialogue completion
Instruction: Complete the dialogue with the correct solution
1. ___ una lámpara encima de la mesa del comedor.
( ___ a lamp on top of the dining table.)2. El sofá ___ al lado de la ventana en el salón.
( The sofa ___ next to the window in the living room.)3. ___ dos sillas cerca de la mesa de la cocina.
( ___ two chairs near the kitchen table.)4. La cama ___ en el dormitorio, junto a la puerta.
( The bed ___ in the bedroom, next to the door.)5. ___ un armario grande en la alacena de la casa.
( ___ a large wardrobe in the pantry of the house.)6. El lavabo ___ dentro del baño, al lado de la ducha.
( The sink ___ inside the bathroom, next to the shower.)