vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Hay" is a form of "hay", an impersonal verb which is often translated as "there is". "Existir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to exist". Learn more about the difference between "existir" and "hay" below.
existir(
ehk
-
sees
-
teer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to be real)
a. to exist
Mi hermanito todavía cree que existe el Coco.My little brother still believes the Boogeyman exists.
hay(
ay
)An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. there is (singular)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Hay un problema con el nuevo modelo del celular.There is a problem with the new model of the cell phone.
a. is there (singular)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Hay un parque por aquí?Is there a park around here?