Existential construction: There is/are - [Noun] है/हैं

The concept of "There" as a dummy subject doesn't really exist in Hindi. If you translate "There is a car" word-for-word, you might look for a Hindi word for "there" (like wahaan). Stop right there! Unless you are pointing at a specific location far away ("The car is *over there*"), you don't use wahaan. instead, the structure focuses entirely on the Noun and the Verb. You are literally saying "[Noun] is" or "[Location] at [Noun] is". It's like Yoda speak, but less confusing.

1. 1Here is your blueprint for existence (deep, right?):
2. 2Identify the Object: What exists? (e.g., paani - water).
3. 3Identify the Location (Optional): Where is it? (e.g., bottle mein - in the bottle).
4. 4Choose the Verb: Is it singular or uncountable? Use hai. Is it plural? Use hain (nasal sound).
5. 5The Formula:
6. 6(Location) + Noun + hai / hain
7. 7* "There is water." → Paani hai.
8. 8* "There are people." → Log hain.

Use this construction whenever you are introducing a new object into the conversation or stating that something exists in a particular place. It's your go-to for descriptions.

• Describing a room: "There is a TV." (TV hai)
• Checking availability: "Is there chai?" (Kya chai hai?)
• Stating facts: "There are 7 days in a week." (Hafte mein 7 din hain)

Don't use this when talking about a *specific* known object. If you say "The car is in the garage," you are talking about a specific car. That's a different structure. The existential "There is/are" is usually for indefinite things ("A car", "Some water", "No hope"). Also, avoid using wahaan (there) unless you mean a physical location you can point to. If you say Wahaan ek billi hai, you are emphasizing the location heavily ("Over *there* is a cat").

• The "Wahaan" Trap: Beginners love translating "There" as wahaan. "There is a problem" becomes Wahaan samasya hai. Native speakers will look around confused, looking for the physical spot where the problem is sitting. Just say Samasya hai.
• Ignoring the Nasal: Forgetting the dot in hain for plurals. Do ladke hai (Two boys is) sounds just as wrong in Hindi as it does in English. It's hain.
• Word Order: Putting hai at the start. Hindi verbs love the end of the sentence. They are the anchor. Don't pull them up front.

• Existential vs. Locative:
• "There is a cat." (Existential) → Billi hai.
• "The cat is there." (Locative) → Billi wahaan hai.

See the difference? One introduces the cat; the other tells you where the specific cat is hiding.

Q: Can I use this for people?

Absolutely. Kamre mein ek aadmi hai (There is a man in the room).

Q: What about questions?

Just add Kya (what) at the start or change your tone. Kya paani hai? (Is there water?)

Q: How do I say "There was"?

Change hai to tha (masc) or thi (fem). But let's master the present tense first!