Difference between Dónde está and Dónde hay?

Question

Hi All,

Could someone tell me what is the difference between Dóndo está and Dónde hay and use them in example sentences?

Thanks j

Answer 1

Hi, Jerry.

"Hay" means "There is/There are" ...the presence of something.

"Estar" means, in this case, the location of something.

Examples:

¿Dónde hay un banco? = Where is there a bank? (does one exist around here)

¿Dónde está el banco? = Where is the bank? (where is it located)

Marianne, thank you so much. I had another question on lesson 1.15 ..... maybe you can answer that one too! Muchas gracias para todo - Jerrykleiner, Aug 16, 2010

Nice examples, Marianne! - 005faa61, Aug 16, 2010

Answer 2

Also, notice that "hay" is used with indefinite articles (eg. a bank), whereas "está" is used with definite articles (eg. el banco): when you say "está", you are referring to something or someone specific that other people can identify.

Using Marianne's examples:

¿Dónde hay un banco? : If there is one or more, hopefully you can tell me where any of them is.

¿Dónde está el banco? : You know exactly what bank I'm talking about, so can you tell me where THAT bank is.

En ¿Dónde está el banco? , es posible preguntarlo sin saber si hay alguno o si la otra persona lo sabe. Con "está", a la vez preguntas si existe y dónde está. - kawalero, Aug 16, 2010

Lazarus, thank you so much for futher explaining Mariannes answer. I had another question on lesson 1.15 .... maybe you can answer that one too? have a good week jer - Jerrykleiner, Aug 16, 2010

Larazus, I'm glad you mentioned this! The specificity is the big difference between the two words - 005faa61, Aug 16, 2010