A1 · Débutant Chapitre 12

The Building Blocks of Action

5 Règles totales
50 exemples
7 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock your ability to describe daily actions and surroundings by mastering essential Spanish verb conjugations.

  • Conjugate regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs to describe actions.
  • Manage irregular forms like 'hago' for versatile daily communication.
  • Utilize 'hay' to identify people and objects in your environment.
Master the verbs that bring Spanish to life!

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey there! Ready to truly bring your Spanish to life? This chapter is your launchpad! We're diving into verbs, the very heart of any language. Don't worry, we're starting with the most basic and common ones: verbs ending in -ar, like hablar (to speak). Mastering these endings will unlock the door to countless Spanish conversations, allowing you to talk about the actions you perform every day. Next, we'll tackle -er verbs like comer (to eat) and -ir verbs like vivir (to live). You'll notice how similar they are! By learning these, you'll instantly get a handle on a whole group of other verbs. Imagine, you'll be able to say I eat or you live. How cool is that? You'll be able to talk about your favorite food or where you call home. Then comes a super important verb: hacer (to do/to make). It has a tiny trick – only the I form (yo) changes to hago, but the rest is regular and easy! This verb is incredibly versatile; you can use it for everything from

What are you doing?
to "I'm making dinner." Finally, we'll meet hay, which means there is or there are. It's incredibly simple and useful. You can use it to point out things like "There's a book over there or There are several students here." The best part? It never changes, whether you're talking about one thing or many! By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to talk about your daily actions, express what you eat or where you live, and even point out things around you. You’ll unlock so many ways to express yourself. Ready for this exciting adventure? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Conjugate regular verbs in the present tense to discuss daily routines.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to
The Building Blocks of Action,
your essential guide to mastering Spanish verbs at the A1 CEFR level! This chapter is designed to give you a solid foundation in Spanish grammar, specifically focusing on the present tense. Verbs are the engine of any language, allowing you to express actions, states of being, and what’s happening around you.
By the end of this journey, you'll feel confident talking about your daily routine, what you eat, where you live, and even pointing out things in your surroundings. This is a crucial step in your Spanish learning adventure, unlocking countless possibilities for real-world communication.
We’re going to tackle some of the most common and fundamental verbs, starting with the regular patterns that will make learning new verbs much easier. Understanding these basic structures is key to progressing in Spanish conversation. You’ll learn how to conjugate verbs ending in -ar, -er, and -ir, which cover a vast majority of Spanish verbs.
We’ll also introduce two super useful verbs: hacer (to do/to make) and hay (there is/there are), which are indispensable for everyday communication.
Don't worry if it seems like a lot! We break everything down into easy-to-understand chunks, packed with examples. This guide is crafted to be engaging and practical, ensuring you can immediately apply what you learn.
Get ready to transform your ability to express yourself and truly bring your A1 Spanish to life. Let's dive into the exciting world of Spanish verbs!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core mechanics of Spanish verbs, starting with the regular patterns and then moving to a couple of essential irregular ones. Mastering these will significantly boost your Spanish grammar A1 skills.
Present Tense -AR Verbs: Speaking (Hablar)
Most Spanish verbs end in -ar, -er, or -ir. For -ar verbs, like hablar (to speak), we remove the -ar ending and add specific new endings based on who is performing the action.
* yo hablo (I speak)
* tú hablas (you [informal] speak)
* él/ella/usted habla (he/she/you [formal] speaks)
* nosotros/as hablamos (we speak)
* vosotros/as habláis (you [plural, informal in Spain] speak)
* ellos/ellas/ustedes hablan (they/you [plural, formal] speak)
This pattern is consistent for thousands of -ar verbs! For example, trabajar (to work) becomes yo trabajo, tú trabajas, etc.
Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat)
-ER verbs follow a very similar pattern to -ar verbs. We remove the -er ending and add new endings. Let's use comer (to eat):
* yo como (I eat)
* tú comes (you [informal] eat)
* él/ella/usted come (he/she/you [formal] eats)
* nosotros/as comemos (we eat)
* vosotros/as coméis (you [plural, informal in Spain] eat)
* ellos/ellas/ustedes comen (they/you [plural, formal] eat)
Notice the similarities? The endings start with 'o', then 'es/e', 'emos/éis', 'en'.
Spanish IR Verbs: How to Use 'Vivir' (to live)
-IR verbs are almost identical to -er verbs in their conjugation, with just a slight difference in the nosotros/vosotros forms. Let’s look at vivir (to live):
* yo vivo (I live)
* tú vives (you [informal] live)
* él/ella/usted vive (he/she/you [formal] lives)
* nosotros/as vivimos (we live)
* vosotros/as vivís (you [plural, informal in Spain] live)
* ellos/ellas/ustedes viven (they/you [plural, formal] live)
The main difference is the 'i' in vivimos and vivís compared to the 'e' in comemos and coméis.
I do / I make (Yo hago)
The verb hacer (to do/to make) is incredibly common and useful, but it has one small irregularity in the yo form.
* yo hago (I do/make) – *This is the irregular part!*
* tú haces (you do/make)
* él/ella/usted hace (he/she/you does/makes)
* nosotros/as hacemos (we do/make)
* vosotros/as hacéis (you do/make)
* ellos/ellas/ustedes hacen (they/you do/make)
After the yo form, it follows the regular -er verb pattern. You'll use this verb constantly!
There is / There are (Hay)
Finally, hay is a unique and wonderfully simple verb that means there is or there are. The best part? It never changes! Whether you're talking about one thing or many, it's always hay.
* Hay un libro. (There is a book.)
* Hay dos estudiantes. (There are two students.)
* Hay mucha gente. (There are many people.)
This verb is essential for describing existence and locations.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Yo hablo español, tú hablar español.
✓ Correct:
Yo hablo español, tú hablas español.
(I speak Spanish, you speak Spanish.)
*Explanation:* You need to conjugate the verb hablar for each subject pronoun. Just adding the infinitive after «tú» is a common error for beginners. Remember to change the ending!
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Yo hace mi tarea.
✓ Correct:
Yo hago mi tarea.
(I do my homework.)
*Explanation:* The yo form of hacer is irregular. It's hago, not hace. This is a crucial irregularity to memorize early on.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Son muchos libros en la mesa.
✓ Correct:
Hay muchos libros en la mesa.
(There are many books on the table.)
*Explanation:* While ser (to be) is used for descriptions, hay is specifically used to express existence or presence (
there is/there are
). Do not confuse it with ser or estar.

Real Conversations

A

A

¿Qué haces tú en la tarde? (What do you do in the afternoon?)
B

B

Yo como fruta y luego hablo con mis amigos. (I eat fruit and then I talk with my friends.)
A

A

¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?)
B

B

Yo vivo en Madrid. Hay muchos parques bonitos aquí. (I live in Madrid. There are many beautiful parks here.)
A

A

Nosotros trabajamos mucho. (We work a lot.)
B

B

Sí, ustedes hacen un buen trabajo. (Yes, you all do a good job.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Why are there so many verb endings in Spanish grammar A1?

Spanish verbs change their endings to tell you who is performing the action (I, you, he/she, we, they) without always needing the subject pronoun. This makes sentences more concise!

Q

Is hay always singular, even if it means there are?

Yes, hay is always used in its singular form, regardless of whether it refers to one item or multiple items. It's one of the easiest Spanish verbs to use!

Q

How do I know if a new verb is -AR, -ER, or -IR?

When you learn new Spanish vocabulary, pay attention to the verb's infinitive ending. Most dictionaries will list the infinitive form, which clearly shows if it's an -ar, -er, or -ir verb.

Q

Can hacer really mean both to do and to make?

Absolutely! Hacer is incredibly versatile. For example,

hago mi tarea
means
I do my homework,
and
hago una tarta
means
I make a cake.
Its meaning often depends on the context.

Cultural Context

These basic verb conjugations and expressions like hay are the backbone of everyday Spanish conversation across all Spanish-speaking countries. While pronunciation and some vocabulary might vary regionally, the fundamental structures of -ar, -er, and -ir verbs, the irregularity of yo hago, and the unchanging nature of hay remain consistent. Whether you're in Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, mastering these patterns will allow you to communicate effectively, from ordering food to asking about local attractions.
These are truly universal building blocks for your A1 Spanish journey!

Exemples clés (8)

1

Yo hablo un poco de español.

Je parle un peu espagnol.

Le présent des verbes en -AR : Parler (Hablar)
2

¿Tú hablas inglés?

Tu parles anglais ?

Le présent des verbes en -AR : Parler (Hablar)
3

Yo como una hamburguesa ahora.

Je mange un hamburger maintenant.

Verbes en -ER : Comment utiliser 'Comer' (manger)
4

¿Comes carne o eres vegetariano?

Tu manges de la viande ou tu es végétarien ?

Verbes en -ER : Comment utiliser 'Comer' (manger)
5

Yo vivo en un apartamento pequeño en el centro.

J'habite dans un petit appartement en centre-ville.

Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)
6

¿Dónde vives tú ahora?

Où habites-tu maintenant ?

Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)
7

Yo `hago` mi cama todos los días.

Je fais mon lit tous les jours.

Je fais / Je fabrique (Yo hago)
8

`Hago` una story para Instagram ahora.

Je fais une story pour Instagram maintenant.

Je fais / Je fabrique (Yo hago)

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

La règle du 'A'

Retiens que les verbes en «-AR» aiment la lettre 'A'. Presque toutes les terminaisons ont un 'A', sauf pour la forme 'Yo' ! Par exemple, Tú hablas a un 'A', mais Yo hablo n'en a pas.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le présent des verbes en -AR : Parler (Hablar)
💡

La Règle du 'O'

Pour 'je' (yo), la terminaison finit presque toujours par 'o' pour tous les verbes réguliers. C'est simple ! Yo como.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en -ER : Comment utiliser 'Comer' (manger)
🎯

La règle du 'i'

Si ton verbe finit par -ir, la forme pour 'nous' aura TOUJOURS un 'i' ! Ne te laisse pas avoir par les verbes en -er : vivimos et pas vivemos !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)
🎯

La Connexion 'Go'

Imagine que tu as un groupe d'amis verbes qui finissent tous par -go pour la forme 'yo'. Relie Hago à d'autres verbes Yo-Go comme Pongo (je mets) et Salgo (je pars). Ils ont tous le même secret de famille !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Je fais / Je fabrique (Yo hago)

Vocabulaire clé (5)

hablar to speak comer to eat vivir to live hacer to do / to make hay there is / there are

Real-World Preview

users

Meeting a New Neighbor

Review Summary

  • Root + o, as, a, amos, an
  • Root + o, es, e, emos, en
  • Root + o, es, e, imos, en
  • Yo hago + regular forms
  • Hay + noun

Erreurs courantes

You don't need the subject pronoun when the verb ending is clear. Just use the verb!

Wrong: Yo hablo tú
Correct: Yo hablo

Ensure you conjugate 'hacer' correctly for each person; only 'yo' is 'hago'.

Wrong: Yo hago la cena, tú haces la cena
Correct: Yo hago la cena, tú haces la cena (Correct, but avoid repetition)

Beginners often try to change 'hay' to 'hayan' for plurals, but 'hay' stays the same!

Wrong: Hay muchos libros en la mesa
Correct: Hay muchos libros en la mesa (Correct usage)

Next Steps

You have taken a huge step forward today. Keep practicing these verbs, and you'll be speaking Spanish fluently in no time!

Write a journal entry about your day.

Continue to: Identity, Location, and Being

Pratique rapide (10)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

¿Tú habla inglés?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Tú hablas inglés?
La forme informelle 'tú' a besoin de la terminaison «-as». 'Habla' est pour 'il/elle/usted'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le présent des verbes en -AR : Parler (Hablar)

Complète la phrase avec la forme correcte de 'hablar'.

Yo ___ español en casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hablo
Pour 'yo' (je), la terminaison des verbes en «-AR» est toujours «-o». Donc, 'hablar' devient 'hablo'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le présent des verbes en -AR : Parler (Hablar)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

¿Hay el baño aquí?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les deux sont meilleures que l'original.
Tu ne peux pas utiliser hay avec un article défini comme el. Utilise estar pour la localisation ou un pour l'existence.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Il y a (Hay)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

¿Dónde vives usted?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Dónde vive usted?
La forme polie 'usted' prend la terminaison de la troisième personne du singulier -e, et non -es.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nosotros hago una fiesta este sábado.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nosotros hacemos una fiesta este sábado.
Seule la forme yo est irrégulière (hago). Nosotros suit le modèle régulier des verbes en -er : hacemos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Je fais / Je fabrique (Yo hago)

Quelle phrase est correcte pour la météo ?

Choisis la bonne façon de dire 'Il fait froid' :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hace frío.
L'espagnol utilise hacer à la 3ème personne du singulier pour les expressions météorologiques.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Je fais / Je fabrique (Yo hago)

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme de 'vivir'.

Yo ___ en la Ciudad de México.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vivo
Pour 'Yo', on enlève -ir et on ajoute -o.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)

Quelle phrase est correcte pour 'Nous vivons' ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nosotros vivimos en España.
Les verbes réguliers en -ir utilisent la terminaison -imos pour la forme 'nosotros'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en IR en espagnol : Comment utiliser 'Vivir' (vivre)

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme de 'comer'.

Yo ___ una ensalada.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: como
Pour 'yo' (je), la terminaison régulière pour les verbes en -ER est '-o'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbes en -ER : Comment utiliser 'Comer' (manger)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la bonne façon de dire 'Il y a beaucoup de monde'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Hay muchas personas.
Hay ne prend jamais de pluriel, même quand on parle de beaucoup de personnes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Il y a (Hay)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

C'est la forme infinitive, comme 'parler' en français. C'est la forme de base que tu trouves dans un dictionnaire avant de la changer pour une personne. Hablar c'est comme to speak en anglais.
Oui ! Tu dis juste 'hablo' + le nom de la langue. Par exemple : hablo japonés ou hablo alemán.
En espagnol, tu enlèves toute la fin '-er' du verbe. Pour 'comer', tu gardes 'com-' et tu ajoutes le 'o'. Ça rend la langue plus fluide ! Yo como.
Non, et même c'est mieux de ne pas le faire ! La terminaison en '-o' nous dit déjà que c'est 'je' qui parle. Como suffit !
Oui, il est parfaitement régulier au présent. Il suit la même logique que tous les verbes en -ir, sans surprise !
Yo vivo, tú vives.
Tu dis 'Yo vivo en...' suivi de la ville ou du pays. Par exemple :
Vivo en Nueva York.
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