When you’re in a Spanish-speaking country and need to find a pharmacy, a metro station, or a restaurant, knowing how to ask for directions properly is incredibly useful. But how do you do it clearly, politely, and grammatically correctly?
In this article, you’ll learn how to use the verbs “hay” and “estar” to ask about the location of places, and also how to choose between “tú” and “usted” depending on context and level of formality.
1. The verb “hay”: asking if something exists
The verb “hay” (from haber) is used when you want to know if something exists or is present in a place. It’s impersonal, which means it doesn’t change according to person (I, you, he/she, etc.) or number. You always use “hay”, whether singular or plural:
| ¿Hay una farmacia por aquí? | Is there a pharmacy around here? |
| ¿Hay restaurantes cerca? | Are there any restaurants nearby? |
| ¿Hay un cajero automático en esta calle? | Is there an ATM on this street? |
When to use “hay”?
Use “hay” when you don’t know if a place exists or is nearby. It’s a general way of asking whether a place or thing is present in a certain area.
Practical example:
- Person A: Excuse me, is there a metro station near here?
- Person B: Yes, there’s one two blocks away.
2. The verb “estar”: asking where something is
The verb “estar” is used when you already know the place exists and want to know its exact location.
| ¿Dónde está el banco? | Where is the bank? |
| ¿Dónde están los baños públicos? | Where are the public toilets? |
| ¿El hospital está lejos de aquí? | Is the hospital far from here? |
When to use “estar”?
Use “estar” when you want to find the precise location of something, especially when you already know it exists.
Practical example:
- Person A: Where is the art museum?
- Person B: It’s just around the corner.
3. Key differences between “hay” and “estar”
Verb | Used for… | Example | Expected answer |
|---|---|---|---|
Hay | Finding out if something exists | ¿Hay una farmacia cerca? → Is there a pharmacy nearby? | Yes, there’s one on the next street. |
Estar | Finding out where something specific is | ¿Dónde está la farmacia? → Where is the pharmacy? | It’s opposite the supermarket. |
If you say:
- “¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?” → You don’t know if there is one.
- “¿Dónde está la farmacia?” → You know there is one, but you don’t know where.
4. Tú vs Usted: informal or formal?
In Spanish, we use different pronouns and verb forms depending on whether we’re speaking informally (tú) or formally (usted).
When to use “tú”?
Use tú with young people, friends, family, or in casual situations.
| Do you know if there’s a shop nearby? | ¿Tú sabes si hay una tienda cerca? |
| Where is your house? | ¿Dónde está tu casa? |
| Can you tell me if there’s a park around here? | ¿Puedes decirme si hay un parque por aquí? |
When to use “usted”?
Use usted with older people, strangers, or in formal situations, such as with professionals, authorities, or in contexts requiring respect.
| Excuse me, do you know if there’s a hospital nearby? | Disculpe, ¿usted sabe si hay un hospital cerca? |
| Where is your office? | ¿Dónde está su oficina? |
| Could you tell me if there’s an ATM nearby? | ¿Podría decirme si hay un cajero por aquí? |
5. How to ask politely in the street
When asking someone in the street, it’s important to be polite. Here are some ways to start a conversation:
Informal (with “tú”):
| Hey, is there a supermarket around here? | Oye, ¿hay un supermercado por aquí? |
| Excuse me, do you know where the bank is? | Perdona, ¿sabes dónde está el banco? |
| Excuse me, are you familiar with this area? | Disculpa, ¿tú conoces esta zona? |
Formal (with “usted”):
| Excuse me, is there a bus stop nearby? | Disculpe, ¿hay una parada de autobús cerca? |
| Good afternoon, do you know where the library is? | Buenas tardes, ¿sabe usted dónde está la biblioteca? |
| Could you tell me if there’s any restaurant open? | ¿Podría decirme si hay algún restaurante abierto? |
Being polite always helps. Even in informal situations, saying “please” and “thank you” makes a big difference.
6. Example dialogues: asking in the street
Situation 1: with “usted” (formal)
— Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?
— Yes, there’s one on the next street, next to the supermarket.
— Thank you very much. Do you know exactly where it is?
— Of course, it’s two blocks away, across the traffic lights.
Situation 2: with “tú” (informal)
— Hey, is there a café around here?
— Yes, sure, there’s one just on that corner.
— Do you know if it’s open now?
— I think so, it’s open all day.
7. Common mistakes (and how to avoid them!)
When speaking with native speakers or practising with other students, it’s common to make mistakes with “hay” and “estar”. Here are some examples to avoid:
❌ Mistake 1: ¿Dónde hay el banco?
✅ Correction: ¿Dónde está el banco?
👉 Use “estar” because the bank is assumed to exist.
❌ Mistake 2: ¿Está una farmacia por aquí?
✅ Correction: ¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?
👉 Use “hay” because you’re asking if a pharmacy exists nearby.
❌ Mistake 3: ¿Hay la estación de tren aquí?
✅ Correction: ¿Está la estación de tren aquí?
👉 “Hay” isn’t used with definite articles like “la”. For specific places, use “estar”.
8. Conclusion
Knowing how to ask for a place in Spanish will give you confidence and open doors to new experiences. Using the verbs “hay” and “estar” correctly will help you communicate clearly, and choosing between “tú” and “usted” shows courtesy and respect.
Remember:
- Use “hay” to ask if something exists.
- Use “estar” to ask where something specific is.
- Use “tú” in informal situations.
- Use “usted” in formal contexts or with strangers.
Next time you’re in a Spanish-speaking city, don’t be afraid to ask! With these phrases and tips, you’ll be ready to explore the world in Spanish.
