Oh, there are and there, do you know how to differentiate them?

Good morning! 

We hope you have rested well and have a fresh mind because today we are going to talk to you about something very interesting: words there, there is and oh.

These three words they sound very similar but they have totally different meanings, which is why they cause a lot of confusion in Spanish students.

Today you will finally learn how to use each one correctly.

In addition to knowing the difference between oh, there and there isWould you like to give your Spanish level a boost?

With us, this will be a piece of cake. In Hispania, Spanish school we offer spanish courses of all levels. 

If you live abroad and do not have the possibility of coming to Valencia, we also have online Spanish courses so you can learn Spanish remotely.

We know you are wanting to know the difference between oh, there is and there, so we are not going to lengthen it any further. Let's see it!

HAY: verb haber

What does it mean there is?

There are It is the impersonal form of the verb haber.

and what is impersonal? Well, he doesn't have a person. That is, it does not have a subject that performs the action of have. 

And, then, what if there is no subject? When can this form be used? there is in Spanish? 

There are only two cases.

Keep reading to discover them!

Existence

with him verb there is if there is we can express the existence of things, people, animals, etc., that are in a place.

Examples:

• in my refrigerator there is 4 tomatoes.
• on this street there is many stores.
• in the square there is benches to sit on.
• There are a little dog waiting for his owner at the door of the supermarket.

As you see, no one does the action there is. It has no subject. 

It doesn't matter if what is there is singular or plural, it is always written the same way.

Periphrasis of obligation

There are is a verb that is also used to express obligation in the periphrasis must + infinitive.

It is also impersonal. It is used in general obligations that several people should do, not just someone in particular.

• You have to clean thoroughly this kitchen.
• You have to carry Roberto to the hospital.

Also They can be obligations that apply to everyone.

• To learn a language well, you have to practice it a lot and study grammar.
• To be healthy, you have to eat well and do sports.

OW: interjection

Oh is a interjection.

That is, a sound that people make to manifest feelings concrete. 

What does it mean oh?

Oh It is usually used in an exclamatory way to appeal to emotions of surprise, complaint and pain.

Let's see examples of this interjection oh with exclamation in their different emotions☝🏻.

Surprise

Imagine that a friend gives you surprising news. For example, that you are getting married.

You could say:

• Ouch! Don't tell me? Congratulations!

Complaint

Also we can express complaint or regret for something negative.

For example, we walk down the street and accidentally bump into a person. So we can tell you:

• Ouch! I'm sorry!

You will surely use it a lot because it is very common to complain about the temperature. In fact, don't be surprised to go out into the street and hear the Spanish say:

• Ouch! how hot
• Ouch! How cold!

Pain

When something hurts us, it is also common to use this interjection to express our suffering.

• Oh! My head hurts.

THERE: Adverb of place

there really has a intonation different from there is and oh, since it has two syllables and the syllable that is pronounced most strongly is the last.

What is the meaning of there?

there is a adverb of place and indicates the place where something is or an action is performed.

Examples:

• The Spanish book is there.
• there, in that cafeteria, is where we met.
• My class friend is always there, in the same seat.

there is not the only one adverb of place. They are also here and there.

How are they different?

In the distance.

here presents something that is fence of the subject.

• The mobile is here, on my table. I can touch it.

there refers to something that is a little more far away.

• My wallet is there, in that drawer.

there talks about something that is quite far, out of our reach.

• thereBehind that building, Josefina works.

Now you know the difference between there, there and oh. Bravo!👏🏻

As you can see, they are words that are easy to confuse due to their pronunciation and the minor spelling changes that they have.

This is something that happens frequently in the Spanish language. Let's talk a little about it and see other similar words.

The confusion of sound

The three words if They pronounce very similarly. Especially there is or oh, which is exactly the same, since the h in Spanish it is silent.

We call this phenomenon homophony, and it occurs in many words in Spanish.

homophonous words

Homophones are words that share the same sound, but change in meaning, like there is and oh.

As you can see, they are pronounced the same, but they are written differently.

In this case we see the difference in the h.

There are many other homophonous words in Spanish. Let's look at some examples:

• Echo / done 

Echo is the participle of verb to throw. Done is the participle of verb do.

• go/fence

Wow is the present subjunctive of verb go. Fence It is an advertising poster that is placed in the streets.

In our article on wow, fence and berry We explain this very well 😉.

• Beautiful/hairy

Beautiful It means that something has beauty, that it is pretty. Hair refers to the soft body hair that we all have.

• Vast / Coarse

Vast It is something very big and broad. Like a mountain landscape with cliffs. Bast, on the other hand, speaks of a person who does not have elegance or good manners.

These are just some examples of words that are pronounced the same but change meaning. There are many more!

THERE IS – THERE: The power of pronunciation

What about there is and there? Are they also homophones?

Well not really, since the sound of both is not exactly the same. The pronunciation changes due to the accent.

In there is, the strength is in the only vowel, the to.

However, in the word there, the stressed vowel is i. 

In fact, the accent marks it for us.

And why does it have an accent? Because it is an acute word ending in a vowel.

If you want to know more about the accentuation rules in Spanish, take a look at our article 😉.

Activity to practice

It's time to practice these three words with an exercise.

you have to write there is, oh or there in each sentence according to the context.

Luck!

Easy, right? 

Now you have acquired this knowledge and you can return to it whenever you want. If you are interested in learning Spanish, we recommend that you read more articles on our blog.

But, above all, we advise you to come to Hispania, Spanish school and to learn Spanish with the best equipment.

In just a few months, your language level will skyrocket.

Do you have any questions about this topic or about our school? 

If so, take advantage of the comments box and ask us 🤗.

See you!

Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school. 

More articles