A1 Present Tense 14 min read Easy

The Verb 'Ir': How to get moving in Spanish

Use the irregular 'V' forms of ir plus a to talk about movement and future plans.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The verb 'ir' means 'to go' and is completely irregular, so you must memorize its unique forms to describe movement.

  • Use 'ir' + 'a' + destination to say where you are going: 'Voy a la playa.'
  • Use 'ir' + 'a' + infinitive to talk about the near future: 'Voy a comer.'
  • The verb 'ir' is highly irregular; it does not follow standard -ir verb patterns.
Subject + Ir (conjugated) + a + Destination/Infinitive

Overview

The Spanish verb ir, meaning “to go,” is fundamental for expressing movement, direction, and future intentions. Despite its brevity, ir is highly irregular in the present tense, diverging significantly from typical verb conjugation patterns. Its forms are derived from various Latin roots, a common linguistic phenomenon for frequently used verbs, which often undergo sound changes and mergers over centuries.

For an A1 learner, understanding ir is not merely about memorizing conjugations; it is about grasping a core mechanism for daily communication in Spanish.

Ir enables you to talk about physical journeys, such as Voy a la universidad (I am going to the university), and to articulate plans for the future using the structure ir a + infinitive, as in Vamos a estudiar mañana (We are going to study tomorrow). This dual functionality makes ir an indispensable verb. Its irregularity can seem daunting initially, but its high frequency in conversation means you will quickly internalize its forms through exposure and practice.

The shifts in its stem, particularly the prominent 'v' sound, distinguish it clearly from other verbs and are a key characteristic to recognize.

Conjugation Table

Pronoun Conjugation English Equivalent Example Phrase
:-------- :---------- :----------------- :-----------------------------
Yo voy I go / I am going Yo voy al gimnasio.
Tú vas You go / You are going ¿Tú vas a la playa?
Él/Ella/Usted va He/She/You (formal) goes / is going Ella va al trabajo.
Nosotros/Nosotras vamos We go / We are going Nosotros vamos a cenar.
Vosotros/Vosotras vais You all go / You all are going Vosotros vais a la escuela. (Spain)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van They/You all go / You all are going Ellos van a la fiesta.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, ir signifies movement towards a destination or the intention to perform an action. This verb almost universally pairs with the preposition a (to/at) to indicate the direction or goal of the movement. The structure ir a + destination is the primary way to articulate physical movement.
For instance, Voy a la tienda literally means "I go to the store," explicitly stating the target of your movement.
Beyond physical movement, ir forms a crucial periphrastic future construction: ir a + infinitive. This structure translates to "to be going to do something" in English and is the most common and accessible way for beginners to express future actions in Spanish. It avoids the complexities of the simple future tense, offering an immediate practical application.
For example, Vamos a ver una película signifies "We are going to watch a movie." This highlights how ir provides two vital communicative functions from a single set of conjugations.
Another fundamental aspect is the contraction al. In Spanish, when the preposition a precedes the masculine singular definite article el, they combine to form al. This is a mandatory contraction, meaning a el is grammatically incorrect in virtually all contexts.
For example, you say Voy al mercado (I am going to the market), never Voy a el mercado. This phonological merging streamlines speech and is a consistent feature across Spanish grammar when a meets el.

Formation Pattern

1
The present tense formation of ir is highly irregular and does not follow the typical -ar, -er, or -ir verb patterns. Instead, it features a radical stem change, predominantly to 'v', across most of its forms. This irregularity is a characteristic inherited from its Latin origins, where common verbs often developed unique conjugations. The 'v' sound is a prominent phonetic marker for ir in the present tense, making these forms easily recognizable once learned.
2
The yo form is voy. Notice the 'y' ending, which is atypical for most Spanish verbs but found in other highly irregular verbs like ser (soy) and estar (estoy). This ending stems from older linguistic forms and helps distinguish it.
3
For the tú form, you use vas. This form introduces the 's' ending characteristic of the informal second-person singular in present tense verbs, but it attaches to the 'va-' stem.
4
The él/ella/usted form is va. This is the simplest form, ending in 'a', which is typical for third-person singular conjugations in many verb categories.
5
The nosotros/nosotras form is vamos. Uniquely, vamos retains the 'i' from the infinitive ir, making it an outlier among the 'v'-stemmed forms. The -mos ending is standard for first-person plural.
6
In Spain, the vosotros/vosotras form is vais. Similar to vamos, this form also keeps the 'i' and features the -is ending, characteristic of the informal second-person plural in Spain.
7
Finally, the ellos/ellas/ustedes form is van. This form reverts to the 'v' stem and takes the -n ending, standard for third-person plural conjugations.
8
Remember the crucial role of the preposition a when indicating a destination. It creates a direct link between the act of going and the place you are going to. For example, Ella va a la biblioteca (She goes to the library). When the destination starts with the masculine singular article el, the mandatory contraction al must be used: Nosotros vamos al cine (We are going to the cinema). This is not optional; a el is always incorrect. Conversely, a la (feminine singular), a los (masculine plural), and a las (feminine plural) do not contract and remain separate, such as in ¿Vas a las montañas? (Are you going to the mountains?). Mastering this pattern, despite ir's irregularity, is essential for accurate communication.

When To Use It

You use ir primarily in two key scenarios: to express physical movement to a destination and to convey future intentions or plans.
  1. 1Physical Movement to a Destination: This is the most direct application of ir. Whenever you are moving from one location to another, ir is the appropriate verb. It always requires the preposition a followed by the destination.
  • Example: Voy al parque esta tarde. (I am going to the park this afternoon.) Here, voy indicates the act of moving, and al parque specifies the destination.
  • Example: ¿Vas a la casa de María? (Are you going to Maria's house?) This asks about a specific movement towards a person's home.
  • Example: Ellos van a la playa cada fin de semana. (They go to the beach every weekend.) This illustrates habitual movement.
  1. 1Expressing Future Intentions (ir a + infinitive): This is arguably one of the most useful structures for beginner Spanish learners, providing a simple yet effective way to talk about the future without complex conjugations. The formula is conjugated ir + a + infinitive verb.
  • Example: Vamos a comer pizza esta noche. (We are going to eat pizza tonight.) This expresses a definite plan for the evening.
  • Example: ¿Vas a estudiar para el examen? (Are you going to study for the exam?) This inquires about a future action.
  • Example: Él va a comprar un coche nuevo. (He is going to buy a new car.) This indicates a future intention or plan.
Ir is incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of everyday contexts, from planning a trip to describing your commute. It is the verbal engine for discussing any form of directed motion or future activity.

When Not To Use It

Understanding when not to use ir is as crucial as knowing when to use it, preventing common errors and ensuring precise communication. There are specific contexts where ir is inappropriate or would convey a different meaning than intended.
  1. 1When you are already at a location: Ir denotes movement towards a destination. If you are already physically present at a place, you should use the verb estar (to be, for location). For example, if you are at the library, you say Estoy en la biblioteca (I am in the library), not Voy en la biblioteca. Voy en la biblioteca would literally imply you are going inside the library, possibly moving within it, or going by means of the library, which makes no sense in this context.
  1. 1To express to come: Ir means to go (movement away from the speaker or point of reference). The verb venir means to come (movement towards the speaker or point of reference). Confusing these is a frequent error. If someone is calling you to their location, they would ask ¿Vienes? (Are you coming?), not ¿Vas? (Are you going?). Your response would be Sí, voy (Yes, I'm going [there, to you]), or Sí, vengo (Yes, I'm coming [to you]). The choice depends on your perspective relative to the listener.
  1. 1For a permanent location or characteristic: Ir is about dynamic movement. For describing where something is on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, or for inherent characteristics, ser (to be) is used. For example, La escuela está en la calle principal (The school is on the main street), not La escuela va en la calle principal. Similarly, for nationality, you say Ella es de España (She is from Spain), not Ella va de España.
  1. 1When en indicates the means of transport, not the destination: While ir a specifies the destination, ir en is used to state the mode of transportation. For example, Voy en coche (I go by car) or Ella va en autobús (She goes by bus). It would be incorrect to say Voy a coche or Ella va a autobús because the car/bus is the vehicle, not the destination itself. The a always points to where you're headed.
  1. 1With certain idiomatic expressions that use ser or estar: For instance, ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?), not ¿Cómo vas? (though ¿Cómo te va? exists for "How's it going for you?"). These are subtle but important distinctions that differentiate natural Spanish from literal translations.

Common Mistakes

Learning ir comes with a set of predictable pitfalls for A1 learners. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes can significantly accelerate your mastery of the verb.
  • Forgetting the Preposition a: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Learners often translate directly from English, omitting a when stating a destination. For example, saying Voy el cine instead of Voy al cine. In Spanish, ir inherently requires a preposition to link the movement to its target. Voy el cine sounds incomplete, almost as if "the cinema" were a direct object being 'gone' in some abstract way, rather than a place being moved to. Always pair ir with a when indicating a destination.
  • Confusing a and en for Destinations: While en means "in" or "on," it's not typically used to denote a destination with ir. Saying Voy en la tienda implies you are going inside the store and are perhaps already there or moving within it, rather than going to it. En is correctly used with estar (e.g., Estoy en la tienda - I am in the store) or with ir to indicate the means of transport (e.g., Voy en coche - I go by car).
  • Failing to use the Contraction al: The contraction of a + el into al is mandatory. Many learners incorrectly say Voy a el restaurante. This sounds unnatural and immediately identifies a non-native speaker. The Spanish language enforces this contraction for phonetic fluidity. Al is a single word, crucial for masculine singular destinations: Voy al supermercado (I go to the supermarket).
  • Attempting Regular Conjugation: Because ir ends in -ir, beginners sometimes try to conjugate it like a regular -ir verb (e.g., iro, ires). However, ir is highly irregular. Forms like iro or es (from ser) are incorrect for ir. You must commit the 'v' forms (voy, vas, va, van) and the unique vamos/vais to memory. The irregularity of ir is a relic of its long linguistic history, making it impervious to the regular conjugation rules.
  • Confusing va and vas: The difference between tú vas (you go, informal singular) and él/ella/usted va (he/she/you go, formal singular) is a common point of confusion. Remember that the s at the end of vas is the characteristic informal second-person singular marker. Using va when addressing a friend as tú would be a grammatical error, whereas using vas for a formal usted would be socially inappropriate.
  • Overgeneralizing voy a casa vs. voy a la casa: While both Voy a casa (I'm going home) and Voy a la casa (I'm going to the house) are grammatically correct, the former is more idiomatic when referring to one's own home, omitting the article. Casa without la often implies home as a concept rather than a specific house. Using la typically refers to a specific house that is not necessarily your own or emphasizes it as a physical structure.

Memory Trick

To master the irregular present tense forms of ir, consider this visual and phonetic mnemonic:

Imagine the letter 'V' as a dynamic arrow, always pointing forward, going somewhere. Most forms of ir in the present tense begin with this strong 'V' sound: Voy, Vas, Va, Van. Think of the 'V' as the Vehicle that's taking you where you need to Venture.

For the nosotros form, vamos, visualize a group of people moving together, like a caravan. The 'V' is still there at the beginning, guiding them. Vamos itself sounds like "Let's go!", an active, collective movement. It’s the 'V' for Voyage. When you hear vamos, picture everyone packing into the Van for a trip.

Crucially, remember the a that follows ir. This a acts as a Airplane guiding the 'V' vehicle to its destination. The V (verb) is the engine, the a (preposition) is the flight path, and the destination is the landing strip. Never let your 'V' Vehicle take off without its 'A' Air Traffic Control.

By associating the initial 'V' with active movement and the indispensable 'a' with direction, you create a vivid mental image that reinforces the conjugation and usage patterns of this irregular verb.

Real Conversations

Understanding ir in isolation is one thing; observing its application in authentic communication is another. These examples demonstrate how native speakers utilize ir in varied contexts, from casual chats to more formal inquiries.

S

Scenario 1

Making Plans

- Ana: ¿Qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? (What are you going to do this weekend?)

- Bruno: Voy a visitar a mis abuelos. ¿Y tú? (I'm going to visit my grandparents. And you?)

- Ana: Nosotros vamos a la playa si hace sol. (We're going to the beach if it's sunny.)

- Analysis: Here, ir a + infinitive (vas a hacer, voy a visitar) is used for future plans, while vamos a la playa describes a potential physical destination.

S

Scenario 2

Asking for Directions/Location

- Carlos: Perdón, ¿sabes adónde va este autobús? (Excuse me, do you know where this bus is going?)

- Diana: Sí, va al centro comercial. (Yes, it's going to the mall.)

- Analysis: Adónde va directly asks for the destination of movement, and va al centro comercial provides it using the contraction al.

S

Scenario 3

Casual Check-in (Latin America)

- Elena: Hola, Fede. ¿Cómo te va el día? (Hi, Fede. How's your day going for you?)

- Fede: Me va bien, gracias. ¿Vas al partido después? (It's going well, thanks. Are you going to the game later?)

- Analysis: ¿Cómo te va? is an idiomatic use of ir for

Present Tense Conjugation of 'Ir'

Subject Conjugation English
Yo
voy
I go
Tú
vas
You go (informal)
Él/Ella/Usted
va
He/She/You go (formal)
Nosotros/as
vamos
We go
Vosotros/as
vais
You all go (Spain)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
van
They/You all go

Meanings

The verb 'ir' is the Spanish equivalent of 'to go'. It is essential for expressing movement toward a destination or future intentions.

1

Physical movement

Moving from one place to another.

“Voy a casa.”

“Ellos van al parque.”

2

Near future

Expressing an action that will happen soon.

“Voy a estudiar.”

“Vas a leer el libro.”

3

Functioning/Working

How something is operating.

“¿Cómo va el proyecto?”

“El coche no va bien.”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Verb 'Ir': How to get moving in Spanish
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Ir + a + Place
Voy al cine.
Negative
No + Subject + Ir + a + Place
No voy al cine.
Question
¿Ir + Subject + a + Place?
¿Vas al cine?
Future Intent
Ir + a + Infinitive
Voy a estudiar.
Contraction
a + el
Voy al parque.
Reflexive
Irse
Me voy a casa.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Voy a la tienda.

Voy a la tienda. (Daily errands)

Neutral
Voy a la tienda.

Voy a la tienda. (Daily errands)

Informal
Voy a la tienda.

Voy a la tienda. (Daily errands)

Slang
Me piro a la tienda.

Me piro a la tienda. (Daily errands)

The 'Ir' Universe

Ir

Movement

  • al parque to the park

Future

  • a comer to eat

Idioms

  • ir bien to go well

Ir vs. Venir

Ir (Away)
Voy a la playa I go to the beach
Venir (Toward)
Vengo a tu casa I come to your house

Choosing the right preposition

1

Is the destination masculine?

YES
Use 'al' (a + el)
NO
Use 'a la'
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Examples by Level

1

Yo voy al parque.

I go to the park.

2

¿Vas a la escuela?

Are you going to school?

3

Nosotros vamos a casa.

We are going home.

4

Ellos van al cine.

They are going to the cinema.

1

Voy a estudiar español.

I am going to study Spanish.

2

¿Cómo te va el día?

How is your day going?

3

No vamos a comprar nada.

We are not going to buy anything.

4

Ella va a viajar a España.

She is going to travel to Spain.

1

Me voy ahora mismo.

I'm leaving right now.

2

Todo va a salir bien.

Everything is going to turn out well.

3

Vamos a ver qué pasa.

We are going to see what happens.

4

Él va a trabajar mañana.

He is going to work tomorrow.

1

No sé cómo va a terminar esto.

I don't know how this is going to end.

2

Se va a arrepentir de eso.

He is going to regret that.

3

Vamos a tener que irnos.

We are going to have to leave.

4

La reunión va a ser larga.

The meeting is going to be long.

1

Vete de aquí ahora mismo.

Get out of here right now.

2

Va a ser difícil convencerlo.

It is going to be difficult to convince him.

3

No me va ni me viene.

It makes no difference to me.

4

Se fueron sin decir adiós.

They left without saying goodbye.

1

Iba a decirte algo, pero olvidé qué.

I was going to tell you something, but I forgot what.

2

Que te vaya bien en el examen.

I hope you do well on the exam.

3

Se va haciendo tarde.

It is getting late.

4

No te vayas sin mí.

Don't leave without me.

Easily Confused

The Verb 'Ir': How to get moving in Spanish vs Ir vs. Venir

Learners mix up the direction of movement.

The Verb 'Ir': How to get moving in Spanish vs Ir vs. Irse

Learners don't know when to use the reflexive.

The Verb 'Ir': How to get moving in Spanish vs Ir + a + Place vs. Ir + a + Verb

Learners confuse destination with intent.

Common Mistakes

✗

Yo iro

✓

Yo voy

Ir is irregular, not a regular -ir verb.
✗

Voy el parque

✓

Voy al parque

You must use 'a' + 'el' = 'al'.
✗

Vas a comer?

✓

¿Vas a comer?

Spanish questions need opening question marks.
✗

Él va a la cine

✓

Él va al cine

Cine is masculine.
✗

Voy a ir a la casa

✓

Voy a casa

Redundant 'ir' is often unnecessary.
✗

Vamos a vamos

✓

Vamos

Do not double conjugate.
✗

Ella van

✓

Ella va

Subject-verb agreement.
✗

Me voy a la escuela

✓

Voy a la escuela

Use 'irse' for leaving, 'ir' for going to a place.
✗

Va a ser ir

✓

Va a ser

Incorrect future structure.
✗

Vengo al trabajo

✓

Voy al trabajo

Wrong directionality.
✗

Se fueron a casa

✓

Se fueron a casa

Correct, but check context.
✗

Va a estar yendo

✓

Va a ir

Avoid progressive for simple future.
✗

Vete a la casa

✓

Vete a casa

Idiomatic usage.
✗

Él va a que vaya

✓

Él va a ir

Subjunctive error.

Sentence Patterns

Yo voy ___ ___.

___ vas a estudiar?

Nosotros ___ a irnos.

Ella ___ a que todo salga bien.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Voy para allá.

Ordering Food very common

Voy a pedir una pizza.

Job Interview common

Voy a presentar mis credenciales.

Travel very common

¿Cómo voy al aeropuerto?

Social Media common

Me voy de vacaciones.

Directions very common

Vas a ver el banco a la derecha.

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💡

Memorize the 'Voy' form

Since 'voy' is used so often, memorize it first. It will help you start sentences quickly.
⚠️

Don't forget the 'a'

The preposition 'a' is mandatory when using 'ir' to indicate a destination. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.
🎯

Use 'ir' for the future

Instead of learning the complex future tense, use 'ir + a + infinitive'. It is the most natural way to speak.
💬

Regional differences

Remember that 'vais' is only for Spain. In Latin America, use 'van' for 'you all'.

Smart Tips

Use 'ir + a + infinitive' instead of the future tense.

Comeré pizza. → Voy a comer pizza.

Always contract 'a + el' to 'al'.

Voy a el cine. → Voy al cine.

Use 'irse' instead of 'ir'.

Voy de la fiesta. → Me voy de la fiesta.

Use '¿Cómo te va?'

¿Cómo estás tu día? → ¿Cómo te va el día?

Pronunciation

/boi/

Vowel sounds

The 'o' in 'voy' is short and crisp.

VA-mos

Stress

The stress is on the root in most forms.

Rising intonation

¿Vas a la playa? ↑

Indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ir' as 'I-R' (I Run) to a destination.

Visual Association

Imagine yourself running (Ir) toward a giant letter 'A' that represents your destination.

Rhyme

Yo voy, tú vas, él va, vamos todos ya!

Story

I wake up and say 'Yo voy' to the kitchen. My friend asks '¿Vas a comer?' I say 'Sí, voy a comer.' We both go to the cafe.

Word Web

voyvasvavamosvaisvanala

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about where you are going today using 'Voy a...'.

Cultural Notes

The form 'vais' is used exclusively in Spain for the informal plural 'you'.

The form 'ustedes' is used for both formal and informal plural 'you', so 'van' is used instead of 'vais'.

The phrase 'vamos' is often used as an interjection meaning 'come on' or 'let's go'.

The verb 'ir' comes from the Latin 'ire', meaning 'to go'.

Conversation Starters

“

¿Adónde vas hoy?

“

¿Qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?

“

¿Cómo va tu trabajo?

“

¿A qué hora te vas a casa?

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine using 'ir'.
Write about your plans for the next holiday.
Reflect on a time you had to leave a place suddenly.
Discuss the importance of movement in your life.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'ir'.

Yo ___ al cine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voy
Yo uses 'voy'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy al parque
a + el = al.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tú va a la escuela.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tú vas a la escuela
Tú uses 'vas'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo voy a estudiar
Subject + verb + a + infinitive.
Translate to Spanish. Translation

We are going to eat.

Answer starts with: Vam...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vamos a comer
Vamos + a + infinitive.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: van
Ellos uses 'van'.
Conjugate for 'Nosotros'. Conjugation Drill

Ir -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vamos
Nosotros uses 'vamos'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: 'ir', 'a', 'la playa', 'tú'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Vas a la playa?
Tú uses 'vas'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'ir'.

Yo ___ al cine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voy
Yo uses 'voy'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy al parque
a + el = al.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Tú va a la escuela.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tú vas a la escuela
Tú uses 'vas'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

a / voy / estudiar / yo

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo voy a estudiar
Subject + verb + a + infinitive.
Translate to Spanish. Translation

We are going to eat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vamos a comer
Vamos + a + infinitive.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match: Ellos -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: van
Ellos uses 'van'.
Conjugate for 'Nosotros'. Conjugation Drill

Ir -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vamos
Nosotros uses 'vamos'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use: 'ir', 'a', 'la playa', 'tú'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Vas a la playa?
Tú uses 'vas'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence Fill in the Blank

¿Tú ___ al gimnasio hoy?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas
Translate to Spanish Translation

They are going to the beach.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ellos van a la playa.
Select the correct plural form for Spain Multiple Choice

You all (Spain) go to the bar:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vais al bar.
Fix the preposition error Error Correction

Voy en la biblioteca.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy a la biblioteca.
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

mañana / al / vamos / museo / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vamos al museo mañana.
Match the subject with the verb form Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo - voy
Future intention Fill in the Blank

Ella ___ a comer pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: va
Identify the formal question Multiple Choice

Asking a stranger where they are going:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Adónde va usted?
Correct the verb for 'we' Error Correction

Mis amigos y yo va al restaurante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mis amigos y yo vamos al restaurante.
Translate the question Translation

Where are you going?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ¿Adónde vas?
Contract 'a' and 'el' Fill in the Blank

Nosotros vamos ___ cine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: al
Pick the correct plural form for Latin America Multiple Choice

You all (Mexico) are going home:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ustedes van a casa.

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

It comes from Latin 'ire' and has evolved uniquely over centuries.

Only in specific idiomatic expressions like 'ir bien'.

Yes, 'ir + a + infinitive' is the most common way to express future plans.

'Ir' is going to a place, 'irse' is leaving a place.

Say 'Voy al cine'.

Yes, it is universal, though 'vais' is Spain-specific.

Yes, '¿Cómo te va?' is common for 'How are you doing?'.

Practice the table daily; it's short enough to memorize quickly.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

French high

aller

French uses 'aller' + infinitive; Spanish uses 'ir' + 'a' + infinitive.

German moderate

gehen

German does not use 'gehen' for the future tense.

Japanese low

iku

Japanese verbs do not conjugate for person.

Arabic low

dhahaba

Arabic has a complex system of gendered conjugation.

Chinese low

qù

Chinese has no verb conjugation.

English moderate

to go

English 'to go' is not conjugated for person.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The Verb 'Tener': Having things & Age

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Spanish Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She (Yo, Tú, Él...)

Overview Spanish subject pronouns, such as `yo` (I), `tú` (you), and `él` (he), function to explicitly identify the noun...

Continue With

C1 Requires

The 'Going To' Future: Plans & Intentions (Ir a)

Overview The construction `ir a + infinitivo` is the primary and most frequently used method for expressing future actio...
A2 Requires

Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)

Overview When you articulate your intentions, near-future plans, or predictions based on present evidence in Spanish, th...

Related Grammar Rules

A2

Going Places: The Verb 'Ir' (Present Tense)

Ever tried to tell a Spanish friend you’re heading to their party, only to realize the verb for 'to go' looks nothing li...
A1

Telling Time in Spanish (¿Qué hora es?)

Overview In Spanish, telling time is not merely a transactional exchange of numbers; it's an act of grammatical definit...
C1

Vivid Storytelling: The Historical Present (Presente Histórico)

Overview In Spanish grammar, the **presente histórico** (historical present), also known as the **presente narrativo**,...
A1

Ser vs Estar: Choosing the Right 'To Be'

Overview Mastering the Spanish verbs `ser` and `estar` is a foundational step toward fluency, distinguishing you from a...
C1

Spanish Future vs. Gradual Progress (ir a vs. ir + gerundio)

Overview In Spanish, the distinction between planning an action and describing its gradual unfolding is captured by two...
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