Spanish Verb IR
The Spanish verb IR (to go) is one of the most commonly used verbs in Spanish. It can be used for everything from announcing where you are going to what you are going to do.
The verb Ir happens to be a highly irregular verb. Like ser, it doesn't follow the normal patterns for verb conjugations. Can you imagine why? For example, try to conjugate ir by taking the infinitive –ir ending away… and you'll find there's nothing left!
Therefore, you'll have to memorize the following pattern for ir in the present tense:
| Pronoun | Present tense of ir |
|---|---|
| Yo | voy |
| Tú | vas |
| Ud., él, ella | va |
| Nosotros/as | vamos |
| Vosotros/as | vais |
| Uds., ellos, ellas | van |
The Spanish Verb IR (to go)
If you want to say, I am going to the beach, in English, you know that you'll have to add the word "to" after the verb "to go." Similarly, in Spanish, the verb ir is almost always followed by "a." For example, the preceding sentence would be translated as: voy a la playa.
If the noun that follows the "a" is masculine singular, as in el mercado, you must combine the two sounds of "a" and "el" into a single sound: "al."
a + el = al
For example, if you wanted to say that you were going to the market, you would say, voy al mercado NOT voy a el mercado.
Por ejemplo (for example):
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Voy al cine con Felipe.
I am going to the cinema with Phillip.
Nosotros vamos a las carreras de caballos.
We are going to the horse races.
¿Van Ustedes con nosotros?
Are you going with us?
The Spanish verb IR in the future: What is going to happen?
The simplest way to express that something is going to happen in the future is to use the verb to go--just as it was used in this sentence.
Voy a caminar a la playa.
I'm going to walk to the beach.
In order to express what is going to happen, add the appropriate conjugated form of ir plus "a" before the infinitive form of the verb.
Él va a leer.
He is going to read.
Vamos a comer.
We are going to eat.
Por ejemplo:
Mañana los estudiantes van a estudiar en la biblioteca.
Tomorrow the students are going to study in the library.
Vamos a salir a caminar el sábado.
We are going to go for a walk Saturday.
Voy a escribirlo en la mañana.
I am going to write it in the morning.
Vamos a nadar en la piscina.
We are going to swim in the pool.
El hombre va a caminar alrededor de la ciudad.
The man is going to walk around the city.
¿Vas a estudiar esta noche?
Are you going to study tonight?
Check out more Spanish Verbs for useful info! Here are some recommended lessons:
- Spanish Verbs Pedir and Preguntar
- Spanish Verbs Decir & Dar
- Spanish Verbs in the Present Tense and Conjugations
See you soon! ¡Hasta pronto!
Mauricio Evlampieff: Rocket Spanish
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