There Is and There Are
Romanian uses a fi or a exista to say 'there is/there are', without an English-style dummy subject.
How It Works
Romanian expresses 'there is/there are' without a dummy subject.
A fi: Use este/e for a singular noun and sunt for a plural noun: Este o carte pe masă. / Sunt două cărți pe masă.
A exista: Există is both third-person singular and plural: Există o soluție. / Există soluții. It explicitly states existence and is common in many registers.
Location: Se află can state where someone or something is located.
Word order: The verb often comes before the newly introduced noun. A location can also come first: În grădină sunt copii. Acolo means an actual 'there/over there'; it is possible when that location matters, but is not a required placeholder.
Examples (6)
- Este o problemă aici.
There is a problem here.
Word by Word: Is a problem here.
Uses 'este' because 'o problemă' is singular.
- Sunt mulți oameni în parc.
There are many people in the park.
Word by Word: Are many people in the park.
Uses 'sunt' to agree with the plural subject 'oameni'.
- Se află un muzeu în centrul orașului.
There is a museum located in the city center.
Word by Word: Itself finds a museum in center-the city-of.
Uses 'se află' to indicate the location of a specific object or place.
- Nu este nicio mașină pe stradă.
There is no car on the street.
Word by Word: Not is no-one car on street.
Uses 'nu este' with the negative determiner 'nicio' for singular negation.
- Există multe posibilități.
There exist many possibilities.
Word by Word: Exist many possibilities.
'Există' is used here for a more formal or abstract statement of existence.
- E un mesaj pentru tine.
There is a message for you.
Word by Word: Is a message for you.
Uses the common spoken short form 'e' instead of 'este'.
Common Mistakes
Failing to use the plural verb 'sunt' for plural subjects.
Este mulți copii afară.Sunt mulți copii afară.Unlike the English colloquial 'there's', the Romanian verb must agree with the plural noun 'copii' (children).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand existential constructions, you first need to be comfortable with the verb 'a fi' (to be) in the present tense, as it is the most common way to express 'there is' or 'there are'. Additionally, since these constructions often introduce new or indefinite subjects, familiarity with indefinite articles and noun pluralization is essential for correct agreement.
- Present of a fi
The existential 'there is/are' construction in Romanian primarily uses the present tense forms of 'a fi' (este/sunt).
Level 1 - un / o / nișteIndefinite Articles
Existential sentences often introduce new information using indefinite articles (e.g., 'Este o problemă').
Level 1 - Noun Plurals
Understanding the difference between 'este' (there is) and 'sunt' (there are) requires knowledge of singular versus plural noun forms.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- mă / te / se / ne / vă / seReflexive Pronouns
The verb 'a se afla' (to be located) uses the reflexive pronoun 'se'.
Level 2 - Basic Word Order
In existential sentences, the verb often precedes the newly introduced noun. A location can come first, as in În parc sunt copii.
Level 1 - Negation With nu
Used to form 'there is not' and 'there are not'.
Level 1 - Negative Concord
Required when saying 'there is nobody' or 'there is nothing' (Nu este nimeni).
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice There Is and There Are in Bubblegum
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