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A1.31.2 Spanish grammar: There is/are + an indefinite article

We use Hay + indefinite article (un/una) to indicate the existence of something in a place.

Gramática: Haber (Hay) + artículo indeterminado

A1 Spanish Time

Level: A1

Module 5: En casa (At home)

Lesson 31: Partes de la casa (Parts of the house)

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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

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  1. The impersonal form is: Hay + indefinite article (un/una) or + cardinal numbers.
  2. "Hay" is used with singular and plural nouns without changing the form.
  3. It is used to indicate the existence of something.
  4. For negation, "no" is used before "hay" and the article is not used.
GéneroNúmeroEjemplo
FemeninoSingularHay una cocina grande.
PluralHay unas escaleras al dormitorio.
MasculinoSingularHay un balcón en el salón.
PluralHay unos garajes en la casa.

Exercise 1: There is/are + an indefinite article

Instruction: Choose the correct word, read the sentence out loud and translate.

Show answers Show translation

Hay unas, Hay un, Hay, Hay una, Hay unos, hay

1. ... escaleras que suben al ático.

Hay unas escaleras que suben al ático.
(There are some stairs that go up to the attic.)

2. ... dormitorios limpios aquí.

Hay unos dormitorios limpios aquí.
(There are some clean bedrooms here.)

3. No ... escaleras en el garaje.

No hay escaleras en el garaje.
(There are no stairs in the garage.)

4. No ... pasillos en esta casa.

No hay pasillos en esta casa.
(There are no corridors in this house.)

5. ... dos balcones.

Hay dos balcones.
(There are two balconies.)

6. ... tres dormitorios en esta casa.

Hay tres dormitorios en esta casa.
(There are three bedrooms in this house.)

7. ... baño en la casa.

Hay un baño en la casa.
(There is a toilet in the house.)

8. No ... balcones en el dormitorio.

No hay balcones en el dormitorio.
(There are no balconies in the bedroom.)

9. Todavía no ... cocina.

Todavía no hay cocina.
(There is still no kitchen.)

10. ... pared sucia en la cocina.

Hay una pared sucia en la cocina.
(There is a dirty wall in the kitchen.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Translate and say the word out loud. Use the word in a sentence.

Show translation
1. Hay un
(There is a)
2. Hay unas
(There are some)
3. Hay una
(There is a)
4. Hay
(There are)
5. Hay
(There is)
6. Hay unos
(There are some)