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

Asked 3 years ago
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.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You're right:

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

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

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Getting that for you now...