C’è (from ci è) and ci sono correspond to the English there is and there are. They state the existence or presence of something or someone.
C’è tempo; non c’è fretta. (There's time; there is no hurry.) Ci sono molti italiani a New York. (There are many Italians in New York.)
C’è and ci sono should not be confused with ecco (here is, here are; there is, there are), which is used when you point at or draw attention to something or someone (singular or plural).
C’è una parola difficile in questa frase. (There's a difficult word in this sentence.)
C’è and ci sono also express the idea of being in or being here/there.
Scusi, c’è Maria?— No, non c’è. (Excuse me, is Maria in?— No, she isn’t.)
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