2. 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:
3. Ir (to go)
Yo voy nosotros vamos
nosotras
tú vas vosotros
vosotras
vais
Ud. Uds.
él va ellos van
ella ellas
4. 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.
a al
+ el
la =
5. The Simple Future tense
ir a + infinitive = to be going to do something (in the near future)
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.
I'm going to walk to the beach.
Voy a caminar a la playa.
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.
—He is going to read
Él va a leer
—We are going to eat
Vamos a comer.
6. Eduardo va a leer el libro.
Edward is going to read the book.
Vas a invitar a muchas muchachas.
You are going to invite lots of girls.
Cristina va a conversar con mi mamá.
Christina is going to talk with my mom.
Vas a estar en clase mañana?
Are you going to be in class tomorrow?
7. Tengo ganas de ir al cine.
I feel like going to the movie.
Tengo que ir a la escuela.
I have to go to the school.
Mis amigos tienen ganas de ir al teatro.
My friends feel like going to the movies.
