Está vs Hay quiz

Question

One of my quiz questions was:

¿Dónde_____una floristería, por favor?

I answered "está" but it's saying it's "hay" even though the examples shown in the lesson show

¿Dónde está el parque?

Why was I incorrect?

Answer

Hola Steph,

I think the teachers may be able to find the questions that you answered but in the meantime have a look at the link below; it may be that you haven't got to it yet in A1. The difference is the use of the indefinite article "una / un."

In your example i.e. "Where is there (hay) a florist, please?" It is a general question about something you know is definitely going to exist somewhere in the locality.

Compare this with the other question "Where is it (está) the park?" You know there is a park so you ask "where is it.' The difference is subtle but distinct if you think about it. I hope this helps.

Difference between hay and está in Spanish

Saludos. John

Answer

Hola Steph
To expand a bit more on John's explanation, you will find the definite article with estar and the indefinite article with hay:

¿Dónde está la floristería?
Where is the florist?
¿Dónde hay una floristería?
Where is there a florist?

Saludos