Spanish word

haber

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈβeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbthere is, there be

Example

En la mesa hay un libro.

There is a book on the table.

Illustration for haber (there is)

More examples

Hay de todo en este mercado.

There's all sorts of things in this market.

Core concept

An impersonal existence marker used without a personal subject.

Common phrases

  • hay de todo

    There's all sorts of things

  • hay noticias

    There's news

  • hay que intentarlo

    You have to try it

Similar words

estar: A person or thing is located somewhere or is in a temporary physical or emotional state.
existir: Something exists in reality or fact, often referring to general or abstract entities.

Definition in Spanish

En su forma impersonal «hay», indica la existencia de algo en un lugar o situación; también funciona como auxiliar en los tiempos compuestos.

Word origin

From Latin habēre 'to have', the verb grammaticalizes so third-person forms yield the impersonal existence hay and the infinitive haber remains for auxiliary use.

Usage tips

  • Hay que + infinitive expresses general obligation or necessity without a stated subject, which differs from English modal constructions.

Other meanings

  • haveverb

Word lists with this word