Spanish word

existir

Pronunciation

IPA/eksisˈtiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbexist

Example

¿Existen buenas opciones aquí?

Are there any good options here?

Illustration for existir (exist)

More examples

Si existe alguna duda, pregúntala ahora.

If any doubt exists, ask it now.

Core concept

Presence in reality regardless of sensory perception.

Common phrases

  • existir problemas

    existence of problems

  • existir una diferencia

    existence of a difference

Similar words

haber: Indicate that something exists in a general statement about presence or availability.
estar: Be situated in a specific place.
ser: Convey a person's or thing's defining nature or identity.

Definition in Spanish

Estar presente en la realidad, aunque no se perciba por los sentidos.

Word origin

From Latin exsistere 'to emerge or appear' (ex- 'out' + sistere 'to stand'), Spanish existir takes the sense 'to exist' as being present in reality.

Usage tips

  • Existir tends to appear in formal or abstract statements, while hay is the common choice for concrete presence or availability in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • be realverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word