How do you say "There are" in French?

"There are" in French is "Il y a". This phrase is commonly used in France.

🔍

How to Say ‘There are’ in French

Q: What does "Il y a" mean in English?

"Il y a" means "There are" in English. Usage tip: [Il y a] means both [there is] and [there are], so French does not change it for singular or plural. You can reuse it easily: [Il y a un problème] or [Il y a deux banques].

Il y a

il ee ah

[il ee ah]

💬 Usage Tip: [Il y a] means both [there is] and [there are], so French does not change it for singular or plural. You can reuse it easily: [Il y a un problème] or [Il y a deux banques].

Phrase Breakdown

[il]

There is

Phrase indicating the presence or existence of something.

Example

Il y a un problème avec le paiement.

There is a problem with the payment.

Y a

ee ah

Words in this phrase

[ee]

There is

Phrase indicating the presence or existence of something.

Example

Il y a un supplément pour le paiement en espèces.

There is an extra charge for cash payment.

[ah]

There is

Phrase indicating the presence or existence of something.

Example

Il y a une erreur dans la facture.

There is an error in the bill.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer