What does il y a in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word il y a in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use il y a in French.

The word il y a in French means there is + [singular], ago, ago, there's something fishy going on, ages ago, it has been ages since, a very long time ago, it was a very long time ago that, it tastes almost like , it tastes kind of like, [period of time] ago, it's fun, it's lively, there's trouble brewing, there is static on the line, there is interference on the line, rightly so, with good reason, there is good reason to, that is something to be proud of, someone needs a slap!, there are highs and lows, there are ups and downs, some days are better than others, there are days like that, there are limits, there are times when, there are moments when, it is foggy, there are a lot of people, that's some cleavage, there are a lot of people, it is sunny, it is windy, there is some truth in, there's a mistake, there is some misdealing, odds on, odds on that, it's odds on, it's odds on that, it is a safe bet that, it would be a good idea to do, there's plenty to do, there's a lot to do, There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip, it was a long time ago that, there is some misdealing, there is some misdealing, a short time ago, let bygones be bygones, it's time to move on, there is something not quite right about him, I think I'm missing something, a few years ago, Opportunity is knocking, it has been forever since, there's no need to stand on ceremony, Please, don't mind me!, What's wrong?, if necessary, if needed, if need be, Where there's life, there's hope. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word il y a

there is + [singular]

(il se trouve)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a de la poussière sur le meuble. Il y a vingt élèves dans ma classe.
There are twenty pupils in my class.

ago

(temps : cela fait)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
J'ai vu ce film il y a cinq ans.
I saw this film five years ago.

ago

(temps : cela fait)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il y a trois mois que nous nous sommes vus.
It's three months since we last saw each other.

there's something fishy going on

(cela cache quelque chose)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

ages ago

locution adverbiale (il y a longtemps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

it has been ages since

(il y a longtemps que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a belle lurette que je ne l'ai vu.

a very long time ago

(loin dans le passé)

it was a very long time ago that

(cela fait longtemps que)

it tastes almost like , it tastes kind of like

(cela évoque un goût de)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

[period of time] ago

locution adverbiale (x temps plus tôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je suis descendue dans le Sud pour voir ma grand-tante il y a de ça 2 ans.
I went down to the south to see my great-aunt two years ago.

it's fun, it's lively

interjection (c'est animé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est une soirée très réussie, il y a de l'ambiance !

there's trouble brewing

(L'atmosphère, l'ambiance est tendue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

there is static on the line, there is interference on the line

(la communication est mauvaise)

rightly so, with good reason, there is good reason to

(c'est justifié)

that is something to be proud of

(C'est valorisant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Son fils vient de terminer ses examens professionnels avec succès, il y a de quoi être fier.

someone needs a slap!

(Certains nécessiteraient une correction) (colloquial)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce gamin est vraiment horrible ! Il y a des claques qui se perdent !

there are highs and lows, there are ups and downs

(ça fluctue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

some days are better than others

(parfois on réussit et parfois on échoue)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

there are days like that

(parfois les choses vont mal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

there are limits

locution verbale (il ne faut pas exagérer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Arrêtez ce bazar ! Je veux bien être gentil mais il y a des limites !
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. I really want to be nice, but there are limits!

there are times when, there are moments when

(parfois)

it is foggy

(le temps est brumeux) (weather)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous ne pourrons pas sortir en mer ce matin, il y a du brouillard.

there are a lot of people

(c'est très fréquenté)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Avec ce beau temps il y a du monde sur la plage.

that's some cleavage

(figuré, familier (c'est un décolleté généreux) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Quand elle met cette robe, il y a du monde au balcon !

there are a lot of people

(familier (il y a beaucoup de monde)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est jour férié, il fait beau, il y a du peuple dans les rues.

it is sunny

(il fait beau)

Il y a du soleil. Allons à la plage.

it is windy

(cela vente)

Il y a du vent. Sors donc les cerfs-volants.

there is some truth in

(tout n'est pas faux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a du vrai dans ce que dit le surveillant, la bagarre n'est pas venue d'un seul élève !

there's a mistake

(c'est une méprise)

there is some misdealing

(familier (les cartes sont mal distribuées) (cards)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Parfois quand les cartes sont distribuées, il y a fausse donne.

odds on, odds on that, it's odds on, it's odds on that

(très probablement) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it is a safe bet that

(très probablement)

it would be a good idea to do

(il vaut mieux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La blessure est grave, il y a intérêt à appeler d'urgence un médecin.

there's plenty to do, there's a lot to do

(il y a plus que nécessaire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip

(ce n'est pas encore acquis) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it was a long time ago that

(indique le temps écoulé)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a longtemps que nous n'habitons plus Paris.
We haven't lived in Paris for ages.

there is some misdealing

(mauvaise distribution) (cards)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Parfois quand nous distribuons les cartes à jouer il y a maldonne.

there is some misdealing

(les cartes sont mal distribuées) (cards)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Parfois dans la distribution des cartes, il y a mauvaise donne.

a short time ago

(peu auparavant, récemment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a peu, tu aurais eu de la neige.

let bygones be bygones, it's time to move on

(ce n'est plus passible de sanction)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

there is something not quite right about him

(il a quelque chose de bizarre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

I think I'm missing something

(je n'ai pas tout compris)

a few years ago

(quelques années avant)

Opportunity is knocking

(une opportunité est à saisir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it has been forever since

(il y a très longtemps) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a une éternité que je n'ai vu la mer, j'aimerais bien y retourner.

there's no need to stand on ceremony

(il faut savoir se lâcher)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Please, don't mind me!

(ironique (il ne faut pas se gêner !) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

What's wrong?

(Que se passe-t-il ?)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ? Tu as l'air bizarre ce matin.

if necessary, if needed, if need be

locution adverbiale (en cas de besoin)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Where there's life, there's hope

(il faut toujours garder espoir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of il y a in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.