Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'is there' and 'are there' based on the number of items, the French y a-t-il remains the same for both singular and plural subjects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are different ways to ask this depending on the setting. y a-t-il is the standard and most formal way to ask 'Are there?' A common, slightly more standard alternative is est-ce qu'il y a. In casual spoken French, speakers often simply use the declarative il y a with rising intonation to ask the question.
How does it change in a sentence?
The question form y a-t-il is the inverted version of the declarative statement il y a, which means 'there is' or 'there are'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When writing the phrase, do not forget to include the '-t-' in the middle of y a-t-il. This letter is mandatory to prevent a clash between two vowel sounds.
Did you know?
- While the phrase translates to 'there is' or 'there are', the verb a inside y a-t-il is actually the third-person singular form of 'to have'.
- In informal Québécois French, the word y can be used as a contraction for the plural pronouns il and ils.
Examples in context
- Y a-t-il des bananes ?Are there any bananas?This sentence shows how to use y a-t-il to ask about the presence of bananas.Tatoeba #3087085 by Julien_PDC, translation #3086008 by CK
- Y a-t-il des enfants ?Are there kids?This sentence shows how to use y a-t-il to ask about the presence of children.Tatoeba #5371825 by pititnatole, translation #2244905 by CK
- Y a-t-il des risques ?Are there any risks?This sentence shows how to use y a-t-il to ask about the presence of risks.Tatoeba #6307834 by Aiji, translation #4672727 by CK
- Y a-t-il des problèmes avec le système informatique ?Are there any issues with the computer system?
- Existe-t-il des solutions viables à cette crise ?Are there any viable solutions to this crisis?
- Il y a des fleurs dans le jardin ?Are there flowers in the garden?
- Est-ce qu'il y a des places disponibles pour le concert ?Are there any available seats for the concert?
- Y a-t-il des pommes ?Are there any apples?
- Y a-t-il un chien dans la maison ?Is there a dog in the house?
- N'y a-t-il pas de solutions ?Are there no solutions?
- Y en a-t-il dans le frigo ?Are there any in the fridge?
- Y a-t-il des livres ? → Oui, il y en a.Are there any books? → Yes, there are.
- Existe-t-il des touristes étrangers dans cette région ?Are there any foreign tourists in this region?
- Y a-t-il quelqu'un ici ?Is there anyone here?
- 180 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are checking the supplies in their kitchen.
- LéaY a-t-il du sucre pour le café ?Is there any sugar for the coffee?
- GabrielNon, il n'y en a plus.No, there isn't any left.
- LéaC'est dommage, Gabriel.That's a pity, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe vais en acheter demain.I will buy some tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a-t-il, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
