existir
/eɡsisˈtiɾ/
To exist in Spanish is existir.
When you want to say that something exists in a specific location or is present (the equivalent of the English "there is" or "there are"), Spanish speakers frequently use the verb haber instead of existir. For example, it is more common to say hay un problema (there is a problem) than to say un problema existe.
Meaning: to be (verb)
Which one should you use?
While existir means "to exist", it is often replaced by the verb haber (such as the form hay) when expressing the existence of something in a sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present form of existir is existe. If you are referring to multiple people or things in the present tense, the third-person plural form is existen. For the past tense, the third-person plural preterite form is existieron. Additionally, in the context of existence, the form hay (which is the third-person singular present tense of haber) is used.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsisˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- The word existencia can be used in Spanish to refer to 'inventory' or 'stock' in a business context, as in existencias de almacén.
- The verb haber, used for 'there is' or 'there are', is one of the few verbs in Spanish that is 'impersonal', meaning it technically has no subject and typically only uses the third person singular form hay regardless of quantity.
- The Latin ancestor of existir, existere, originally meant 'to emerge' or 'to appear' rather than just the abstract concept of being.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede existir una ilusión?Can an illusion exist?This sentence is useful for questioning the existence of an illusion using existir.Tatoeba #1915802 by marcelostockle, translation #913564 by Scott
- Sin agua no podemos existir.Without water, we cannot exist.This sentence demonstrates the necessity of water for the ability to existir.Tatoeba #633261 by clerval, translation #387561 by Mouseneb
- La pobreza no debería existir.Poverty shouldn't exist.This sentence expresses the sentiment that poverty should not existir.Tatoeba #9717827 by Shishir, translation #9715656 by shekitten
- Hay muchos animales en el zoológico.There are many animals in the zoo.
- Existen muchas oportunidades en esta industria.There are many opportunities in this industry.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a mysterious phenomenon in a park.
- María¿Crees que puede existir un fantasma aquí?Do you think a ghost can exist here?
- MateoNo creo que exista algo así, María.I don't think something like that exists, María.
- MaríaPero he escuchado ruidos extraños.But I have heard strange noises.
- MateoSeguro es solo el viento.It is surely just the wind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exist” translations and entries existir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries existir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
