"Haber" vs "Estar": indefinite article vs definite article Share Copied!
Learn the difference between haber and estar in Spanish.
Gramática: "Haber" vs "Estar" : artículo indeterminado vs determinado
A1 Spanish Subordinate clauses
Level: A1
Module 5: En casa (At home)
Lesson 32: Muebles (Furniture)
Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes
Audio and video
- "Hay" indicates existence with "un, una" or without an article.
- "Estar" indicates location or condition with "el, la, los, las".
| Verbo | Ejemplo | |
|---|---|---|
| Objeto o lugar no especificado | 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 | 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 un, está, están, Hay unas, Hay una, Hay, Hay un
Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
hay un
there is a
2
hay
there are
3
Hay una
There is a
4
están
are
