c'est / il y a — 'it is' / 'there is/are'
c'est / il y a — 'it is' / 'there is/are' means “c'est to identify, il y a to say something exists”. Two very common set phrases. Formation: c'est + nom (identifier) · il y a + nom (existence)
c'est to identify, il y a to say something exists
A1Formation
c'est + nom (identifier) · il y a + nom (existence)
Explanation
Two very common set phrases. c'est ('it is / this is') identifies or points something out: C'est mon ami (This is my friend). il y a ('there is / there are') says that something exists, singular or plural: Il y a un problème / Il y a des gens. Both are fixed — don't conjugate them at this level.
Examples
FAQ
c'est / il y a — 'it is' / 'there is/are' — what does it mean and how is it used?
c'est to identify, il y a to say something exists. Two very common set phrases. c'est ('it is / this is') identifies or points something out: C'est mon ami (This is my friend). il y a ('there is / there are') says that something exists, singular or plural: Il y a un problème / Il y a des gens. Both are fixed — don't conjugate them at this level.
c'est / il y a — 'it is' / 'there is/are' — how do you form it?
c'est + nom (identifier) · il y a + nom (existence)