1. Voici (“Here is” / “This is”)
Used to present or point out something close or just mentioned.
• Example in French: Voici mon livre préféré.
Translation: Here is my favorite book.
• Example in French: Voici ton téléphone, tu l’avais oublié sur la table.
Translation: Here is your phone; you left it on the table.
2. Voilà (“There is” / “That is”)
Used to indicate something farther away, to emphasize, or to conclude.
• Example in French: Voilà la maison dont je t’ai parlé.
Translation: There is the house I told you about.
• Example in French: Voilà pourquoi je suis en retard aujourd’hui.
Translation: That’s why I’m late today.
3. Il y a (“There is/are” or “Ago”)
Indicates the presence of something or refers to a past time.
• Example for presence:
In French: Il y a un chat dans le jardin.
Translation: There is a cat in the garden.
In French: Il y a beaucoup de monde ici.
Translation: There are many people here.
• Example for time:
In French: Il y a deux ans, je vivais à Paris.
Translation: Two years ago, I was living in Paris.
Summary
• Voici = “Here is” (close, introducing something).
• Voilà = “There is” / “That is” (farther away, concluding).
• Il y a = “There is/are” (existence) or “ago” (past time).
