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Voici ("here is/are") and voilà ("there is/are") are both used to point out something or someone. That which is being pointed out (the noun) must be visible or audible to both the speaker and the listener(s).
| Voici mon dictionnaire préféré. |
| Here’s my favorite dictionary. |
| Voilà l’agent de police. |
| There’s the policeman. |
Voilà is used more frequently in conversation than voici.
Il y a, "there is/there are," indicates that something exists, and is often used with prepositions.
| Il y a une station de taxis près d'ici. |
| There is a taxi stand close by. |
| Il y a des Américains dans mon hôtel. |
| There are some Americans in our hotel. |
Il y a and voici/voilà cannot be substituted for one another.
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