Hay / Il y a

Tom W.A2Kwiziq community member

Hay / Il y a

I had wondered whether Spanish 'hay' and French 'il y a' were derived the same way - a combination of third person singular from the verb 'to have' ('ha' and 'a') and 'y'.

Is that completely wrong?

Thanks

Tom

This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Conjugate haber in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)"

Asked 3 years ago

Like2Answer2

C C.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

If I remember from way back when I studied both languages, I think that's correct. The "y" as a place indicator dropped out of Spanish.

Like13 years ago

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You're right:

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hay#Etymology

Like13 years ago

Tom W. asked:

Hay / Il y a

I had wondered whether Spanish 'hay' and French 'il y a' were derived the same way - a combination of third person singular from the verb 'to have' ('ha' and 'a') and 'y'.

Is that completely wrong?

Thanks

Tom

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« When to use the continuing form English in the song! »

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level