есть
jestʹ[jesʲtʲ]
The English phrase "is" can be translated to Russian as есть (jestʹ).
The word есть is used to express that something exists or is present. It is often used to emphasize the existence of something, particularly when responding to a question about whether something is available or present.
What does it mean word for word?
The word есть is a homonym: it can mean the infinitive verb "to eat" or the present tense of the verb "to be" (is/exists).
Which one should you use?
While есть is used when "is" means "exists" (for example, "There is a cat"), it is not used as a copula to link a subject to an adjective in the present tense. In such cases, one would say "He [is] tall" without using есть.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Russian, the verb есть is used to express existence or presence, such as "there is/are". However, it is typically omitted when you are describing qualities or identities in the present tense.
Did you know?
- In a formal military or bureaucratic context, a soldier might respond to a command by shouting Есть! to mean 'Yes, sir!' or 'Understood!', rather than using it to mean 'is'.
- While есть is omitted for adjectives, it is used for possession. To say 'I have a dog', Russians literally say 'At me is a dog' using есть.
- In philosophical or highly formal Russian texts, есть is sometimes restored to the sentence to add weight or solemnity to a statement of truth.
Examples in context
- Так оно и есть.This is true.This sentence shows how to use есть to confirm a truth.Tatoeba #5490 by ae5s, translation #433544 by CK
- Это всё, что есть?Is that it?This sentence uses есть to ask if something exists or is available.Tatoeba #903762 by marafon, translation #433702 by blay_paul
- На кухне есть нож?Is there a knife in the kitchen?This sentence uses есть to ask about the presence of an object in a location.Tatoeba #2479923 by marafon, translation #275407 by CK
- Книга является интересной.The book is interesting.
- Кто является президентом?Who is the president?
- У нас есть время разговориться.We have time to talk.
- Москва – это столица России.Moscow is the capital of Russia.
- 472 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Olga are checking if there is any milk in the fridge.
- Андрей AndreyУ нас есть молоко?U nas yest' moloko?Do we have milk?
- Ольга OlgaДа, молоко есть в холодильнике.Da, moloko yest' v kholodil'nike.Yes, there is milk in the fridge.
- Андрей AndreyА хлеба есть?A khleba yest'?And is there bread?
- Ольга OlgaНет, хлеба нет.Net, khleba net.No, there is no bread.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry есть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
