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"Hay" is a form of "hay", an impersonal verb which is often translated as "there is". "La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the". Learn more about the difference between "hay" and "la" below.
hay(
ay
)
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. there is
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
Hay un problema con el nuevo modelo del celular.There is a problem with the new model of the cell phone.
b. there are
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
Hay papas si quieres picar algo.There are chips if you want to snack on something.
a. is there
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
¿Hay un parque por aquí?Is there a park around here?
b. are there
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
¿Hay pimientos en la nevera?Are there any peppers in the fridge?
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la(
lah
)
A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
definite article
a. the
La pelota está en el tejado.The ball is on the roof.
La leche está en el refrigerador.The milk is in the refrigerator.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. her
Quiero conocer a tu esposa. Si puedes, tráela la próxima vez.I want to meet your wife. If you can, bring her next time.
b. it
La carne que probamos estaba deliciosa. ¿Podemos comerla en la cena?The meat we tried was delicious. Can we have it for dinner?
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. A
"Toca un la", le dijo el cantante al pianista."Give me an A," said the singer to the pianist.
b. la (solfège)
La canción va así: "la, si, la, do".The song goes like this: "la, ti, la, do."
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