есть

The word есть is the present tense form of the verb 'to be'. While Russian typically uses a zero copula for descriptions, есть is used for 'existential' purposes.

1. Existence and Availability
Use есть to say 'there is' or 'there are'. It confirms the presence of an object. In modern Russian, есть is a fixed form specifically in the present tense; it does not change for plural subjects.
Example: Здесь есть Wi-Fi. (There is Wi-Fi here.)

2. Possession
This is the most common use for beginners. The pattern у + Genitive + есть literally means 'By [someone] there exists [something]'.
Example: У меня есть вопрос. (I have a question.)

3. Word Order and Definiteness
Usually, the location or the possessor comes first, followed by есть, and then the Nominative subject. This puts the focus on the new thing that exists, often functioning like the English indefinite article 'a/an'. To imply a specific, known object ('the'), move the subject to the front (e.g., Машина у меня). Omitting есть while keeping standard word order (У меня машина) shifts the focus to the type of object or states a situational fact.

4. Tense and Agreement
It is important to note that the fixed form есть is only used in the present tense. When talking about the past or future, the verb must agree with the subject in gender and number:
• Past: У меня был вопрос (masculine), У меня была машина (feminine), У меня было время (neuter), У меня были вопросы (plural).
• Future: Здесь будет парк (singular), Здесь будут парки (plural).

5. Negation
To express absence or non-existence in the present tense, use нет instead of есть. This triggers a mandatory case shift from Nominative to Genitive for the object.
Example: У меня нет вопросов. (I have no questions.)
For past and future negation, use the impersonal не было and не будет + Genitive. The verb is neuter singular in the past (не было) and third-person singular in the future (не будет), regardless of the object's gender or number.
Examples: У меня не было вопросов / машины. (I did not have questions / a car.) У меня не будет вопросов / машины. (I will not have questions / a car.)

6. When to Omit It
Do not use есть in the following cases:
• Identification: When identifying someone (Я студент).
• Specific Location: When the existence is already known and you are just stating the specific location (Книга на столе).
• Inherent Traits: When describing physical characteristics or abstract qualities that are an inseparable part of a person. Example: У неё голубые глаза. (She has blue eyes.)
• Focus on Description: When the focus shifts to a descriptive adjective rather than existence. Example: У него интересная работа. (He has an interesting job.)
• Illnesses/Conditions: When stating a medical condition or symptom. Example: У меня грипп. (I have the flu.) У меня температура. (I have a fever.)
• Events/Appointments: When mentioning scheduled events. Example: У меня завтра экзамен. (I have an exam tomorrow.) У меня встреча. (I have a meeting.)