This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 Verbo #50 most common 10 min read

vais

Top 50

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips vais in 30 Seconds

Explanation vais in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'vais' is introduced as part of the present tense of the verb 'ir' (to go). Students learn that it corresponds to the 'vosotros' (you all) pronoun, which is used in Spain for informal groups. The focus is on simple movement: 'Vais a la escuela' (You all go to school) or 'Vais al parque' (You all go to the park). It is important to memorize 'ir' as an irregular verb early on because it doesn't follow the standard '-ir' verb endings. Beginners should practice the 'ir + a + destination' pattern. They also learn that in Latin America, they will likely use 'van' instead of 'vais', but they need to recognize 'vais' to understand speakers from Spain. The emphasis is on basic communication and identifying who is going where. Students are encouraged to use it in classroom settings when talking to their peers. Simple questions like '¿Vais a casa?' are common. At this stage, the goal is recognition and basic production in controlled environments.

At the A2 level, students expand their use of 'vais' to include the periphrastic future: 'ir + a + infinitive'. This is a major milestone because it allows learners to talk about future plans without needing to learn the complex future tense endings yet. For example, 'Vais a comer' (You all are going to eat) or 'Vais a viajar' (You all are going to travel). Students also start using 'vais' with common prepositions like 'en' for transport ('Vais en tren') and 'de' for activities ('Vais de compras'). The distinction between 'vais' (going to a place) and 'os vais' (leaving a place) is introduced. Learners are expected to handle short conversations about daily routines and upcoming events involving a group. They should be comfortable asking and answering questions about where their friends are going during the weekend. The focus shifts from simple identification to functional communication about plans and habits.

At the B1 level, 'vais' is used in more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions. Students learn to use it with the gerund to express gradual actions: 'Vais mejorando' (You all are improving). They also explore more abstract uses of 'ir', such as '¿Cómo os va?' (How is it going for you all?) or 'Vais por buen camino' (You all are on the right track). The B1 learner should be able to distinguish between the indicative 'vais' and the subjunctive 'vayáis' in dependent clauses, such as 'Espero que vayáis' vs. 'Sé que vais'. There is a greater emphasis on regional awareness, understanding when to use 'vais' in Spain and when to switch to 'van' in the Americas to sound more natural. Students also start using 'vais' in more nuanced social contexts, such as giving advice or describing a group's behavior ('Vais de listos'). The focus is on fluency, accuracy in more complex scenarios, and expanding the range of meanings beyond literal physical movement.

At the B2 level, 'vais' is integrated into sophisticated discourse. Learners use it to describe trends, social dynamics, and hypothetical scenarios. They are familiar with a wide range of idioms like 'ir de cráneo' (to be overwhelmed) or 'ir al grano' (to get to the point) conjugated as 'vais'. At this level, students can handle 'vais' in various registers, from very informal slang to standard journalistic Spanish. They understand the subtle difference in tone when a speaker chooses 'vais' over a more specific verb like 'acudís'. B2 learners also master the use of 'vais' in complex temporal relationships and with a variety of pronouns (reflexive, direct, and indirect object pronouns). For example, 'Os lo vais a pasar muy bien' (You all are going to have a great time). The focus is on native-like speed, idiomatic accuracy, and the ability to use 'vais' to convey subtle emotional or social cues in a group setting.

At the C1 level, 'vais' is used with complete spontaneity and precision. The learner is aware of the historical development of the verb 'ir' and how 'vais' fits into the broader evolution of the Spanish language. They can analyze the use of 'vais' in classical literature and modern media, noting how it contributes to the characterization of speakers. C1 students are adept at using 'vais' in highly abstract ways, such as in philosophical discussions about the direction of society or in complex professional negotiations. They can switch between 'vais' and 'van' effortlessly depending on the audience and the desired level of formality or regional affinity. The focus is on stylistic variety, rhetorical effectiveness, and a deep understanding of the cultural weight the 'vosotros' form carries in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in its role in defining 'in-group' vs. 'out-group' dynamics.

At the C2 level, the mastery of 'vais' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. The learner can use 'vais' in all its possible permutations, including rare or archaic contexts found in legal or liturgical texts. They have a perfect grasp of the phonological variations of 'vais' across different Spanish dialects and can even mimic these variations if necessary. C2 learners can play with the word in puns, poetry, and creative writing, exploiting its monosyllabic nature and its relationship with other forms of 'ir'. They understand the deepest layers of its usage, including how it can be used ironically or to establish a specific power dynamic in a conversation. The focus is on total linguistic flexibility, cultural synthesis, and the ability to use 'vais' as a tool for sophisticated, nuanced communication in any possible context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

vais in 30 Seconds

Vais is the 'vosotros' (you all) form of the verb 'ir' (to go), used primarily in Spain for informal groups.
It is used for physical movement ('Vais al cine') and to form the future ('Vais a comer').
Unlike many other 'vosotros' forms, 'vais' does not have an accent mark because it is a monosyllable.
In Latin America, 'van' is used instead of 'vais' in almost all social and formal contexts.

The Spanish word vais is the second-person plural present indicative form of the verb ir, which means 'to go'. In the vast landscape of the Spanish language, this specific conjugation is a cornerstone of Peninsular Spanish, the variety spoken in Spain. When you are in Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville, you will hear vais constantly as it is the standard way to address a group of people informally. It functions similarly to the English 'you all go' or the Southern American 'y'all go'. Understanding vais requires a grasp of the vosotros pronoun, which is used for friends, family, children, and peers. If you are traveling through Latin America, you will notice that this form is largely absent from daily speech, replaced by van (the ustedes form), but for any student of the Spanish language, mastering vais is essential for reading literature, watching Spanish cinema, or engaging in conversations in Spain.

Grammatical Identity: Second-person plural (vosotros/as) of the verb 'ir' in the present indicative tense.

¿A qué hora vais al cine esta tarde?

Beyond literal movement, vais is a vital component of the periphrastic future. When combined with the preposition a and an infinitive verb, it expresses what a group is going to do in the immediate future. For example, 'Vais a comer' means 'You all are going to eat'. This usage is incredibly frequent because it is often easier and more natural than the synthetic future tense. The verb ir is one of the most irregular verbs in Spanish, and vais is part of that unique conjugation pattern where the stem changes from 'i-' to 'v-'. This transformation can be confusing for beginners, but it becomes second nature with practice. Whether you are asking your friends where they are going or telling your teammates they are going to win, vais is your go-to tool for collective action.

Regional Usage: Exclusively used in Spain (Peninsular Spanish). In Latin America, the form 'van' is used for both formal and informal 'you all'.

Sé que vais por el camino correcto para aprender español.

In metaphorical contexts, vais can describe the progress or state of a group. Phrases like 'vais bien' (you all are doing well) or 'vais por buen camino' (you all are on the right track) demonstrate how movement verbs are used to describe abstract concepts of progress. It is also used in idiomatic expressions that describe behavior, such as 'vais de listos' (you all are acting like you're smart/clever). Understanding these nuances helps a B1 learner transition from literal translations to more natural, native-like expression.

Frequency: Extremely high in spoken Spanish within Spain. It is one of the top 50 most used verb forms in the country.

Si vais a la fiesta, avisadme para ir juntos.

Vosotros vais siempre muy elegantes a las bodas.

¿Por qué no vais vosotros primero y yo os alcanzo luego?

Using vais correctly involves understanding its role as a verb of motion and its function in future constructions. The most basic use is to describe a group moving from one point to another. Because Spanish often drops subject pronouns, you will frequently see vais standing alone without vosotros. The verb ending '-is' already tells the listener exactly who is performing the action. For example, '¿A dónde vais?' (Where are you all going?) is a complete and natural sentence.

Direct Movement: Used with 'a' + destination. Example: 'Vais a la playa' (You all go to the beach).

Hoy vais al colegio en autobús porque el coche está roto.

One of the most critical patterns for a B1 learner is the 'ir + a + infinitive' structure. This is the periphrastic future, used to talk about plans and intentions. When you say 'vais a estudiar', you are saying 'you all are going to study'. This is often preferred over the future tense 'estudiaréis' in casual conversation. It feels more immediate and certain. Another common usage is with the preposition 'de'. This often indicates an activity or a state rather than a physical location. 'Vais de compras' (You all go shopping), 'Vais de vacaciones' (You all go on vacation), or 'Vais de viaje' (You all go on a trip). These are fixed expressions that every learner should memorize.

Activity Expressions: Used with 'de' + noun. Example: 'Vais de excursión' (You all go on a hike).

¿Vais de tapas esta noche por el centro?

In negative sentences, simply place 'no' before the verb: 'No vais a creer lo que ha pasado' (You all are not going to believe what has happened). This is a great way to build suspense in a story. In questions, the word order can remain the same as a statement, but the intonation rises at the end. '¿Vosotros vais mañana?' (Are you all going tomorrow?).

The Gerund Connection: 'Vais' + gerund (ending in -ando/-iendo) indicates a gradual action. Example: 'Vais aprendiendo poco a poco' (You all are learning bit by bit).

Sé que vais mejorando vuestro nivel de español cada día.

¿Por qué vais tan rápido? ¡Esperadme!

Si vais en tren, llegaréis mucho antes que en coche.

Vosotros vais a ser unos padres estupendos.

To hear vais in its natural habitat, you must immerse yourself in the social life of Spain. It is the sound of the 'botellón' (street gathering), the family dinner, and the bustling 'mercado'. In a Spanish household, a parent might shout to their children, '¿A dónde vais sin chaqueta?' (Where are you all going without a jacket?). This is a classic example of the word being used for immediate physical movement combined with a sense of care or authority.

In the Classroom: Teachers in Spain use 'vosotros' to address the class. 'Hoy vais a aprender los verbos irregulares'.

Chicos, si vais a hablar, hacedlo en voz baja.

In the world of sports, particularly football, coaches and commentators use vais to address the team or discuss their strategy. 'Si vais al ataque con decisión, ganaréis el partido'. It conveys a sense of collective effort and shared destiny. You will also hear it in popular Spanish TV shows like 'La Casa de Papel' (Money Heist) or 'Élite', where characters frequently address their group of friends or accomplices using the vosotros form. In commercial settings, such as a clothing store or a restaurant, waitstaff or shop assistants might use vais if they perceive the customers to be young or if the atmosphere is informal. '¿Vais a querer postre?' (Are you all going to want dessert?). However, in very formal settings, they would switch to 'van' (ustedes).

On Social Media: Influencers from Spain often address their followers as 'vosotros'. '¿Cómo vais, familia?' (How are you all doing, family?).

¡No vais a creer el vídeo que os traigo hoy!

Finally, in literature and news, vais appears when quoting direct speech or in opinion pieces that address the public directly. It creates a sense of intimacy and directness that the more formal 'ustedes' lacks. For a learner, hearing vais is a signal that they are being included in a group, treated as an equal, and invited into the local culture.

¿Vais a venir a la manifestación de mañana?

Si vais por la calle y veis a Juan, dadle recuerdos.

Vosotros vais de sobrados y al final vais a perder.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is the confusion between the different forms of 'you'. Because English uses 'you' for both singular and plural, students often use 'vas' (singular) when they should use vais (plural). If you are talking to three friends, saying '¿A dónde vas?' is technically incorrect; it should be '¿A dónde vais?'.

The Accent Error: Writing 'vaís' with an accent. Unlike 'estáis' or 'coméis', 'vais' is a monosyllable and does not require an accent mark.

Incorrect: Vosotros vaís tarde. Correct: Vosotros vais tarde.

Another common pitfall is the spelling mistake of using a 'b' instead of a 'v'. While 'b' and 'v' sound identical in Spanish, 'bais' is not a word. This mistake is common even among native Spanish children who are still learning to spell. Always remember that the verb ir uses 'v' in the present tense (voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van). Learners also struggle with the regional distinction. If you are in Mexico or Argentina and you use vais, people will understand you, but you will sound like you are from a 16th-century play or a modern Spaniard. In those regions, you should use 'van'. Mixing these up isn't 'wrong' in terms of grammar, but it is 'wrong' in terms of local naturalness.

The Subjunctive Trap: Confusing 'vais' (indicative) with 'vayáis' (subjunctive). Use 'vais' for facts and 'vayáis' for doubts or commands after 'que'.

No quiero que vais allí. (Incorrect) -> No quiero que vayáis allí. (Correct)

Finally, forgetting the preposition 'a' when expressing destination is a classic B1 mistake. You cannot say 'Vais Madrid'; it must be 'Vais a Madrid'. The 'a' is the bridge that connects the movement to the goal.

¿Vais a la montaña este fin de semana?

Si vais con prisa, os olvidaréis de algo importante.

Vosotros no vais a ninguna parte hasta que terminéis los deberes.

While vais is the most common way to say 'you all go', Spanish offers several alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. If you want to emphasize leaving a place rather than just going to one, you would use the reflexive verb marcharse or irse. The conjugation for irse is 'os vais'.

Vais vs. Os vais: 'Vais' focuses on the destination. 'Os vais' focuses on the act of leaving the current location.

¿Ya os vais? ¡Pero si es muy pronto!

For more formal or specific types of movement, consider acudir (to attend/show up) or dirigirse (to head towards). 'Acudís a la cita' sounds more precise than 'Vais a la cita'. If you are talking about moving to live somewhere, mudaros (to move house) is the correct choice.

Synonym Comparison

Vais: General movement.
Acudís: Attending an event or meeting.
Os marcháis: Leaving or departing.
Os dirigís: Heading in a specific direction.

In the context of 'how things are going', you can use andar. '¿Cómo andáis?' is a common alternative to '¿Cómo vais?' when asking how a group of friends is doing. It feels slightly more relaxed and colloquial.

¿Vais caminando o tomáis el metro?

Si vais por la sombra, no pasaréis tanto calor.

Vosotros vais siempre un paso por delante de los demás.

¿A qué peluquería vais vosotros?

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Ustedes van a la conferencia. (Note: In formal settings, 'ustedes' is used even in Spain, so 'vais' becomes 'van')."

Neutral

"Vosotros vais al museo mañana por la mañana."

Informal

"¿A dónde vais, tíos?"

Child friendly

"Niños, ¿vais a jugar al patio?"

Slang

"Vais de un palo que no me mola nada."

Fun Fact

The verb 'ir' is 'suppletive', meaning it pulls its forms from three different Latin verbs: 'ire', 'vadere', and 'esse'. 'Vais' comes from 'vadere'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbaɪs/

US /ˈbaɪs/

The stress is on the only syllable. It is a monosyllable.

Rhymes With

país (though 'país' has an accent and two syllables) maíz raíz dais vais traéis (partial) caéis (partial) leéis (partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (with teeth on lips). In Spanish, 'v' and 'b' are the same sound.
Adding a second syllable like 'va-is'. It should be a single smooth diphthong.
Over-emphasizing the 's' at the end, making it sound like a 'z'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, though it can be confused with other short words.

Writing 3/5

Common mistakes include adding an unnecessary accent or using 'b' instead of 'v'.

Speaking 4/5

Requires remembering the 'vosotros' pronoun which many learners skip.

Listening 3/5

Can be hard to hear in fast speech, especially in southern Spain where the 's' is dropped.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ir voy vas va vamos

Learn Next

vais a (future) fuisteis (past) ibais (imperfect) vayáis (subjunctive)

Advanced

procedéis os marcháis os dirigís

Grammar to Know

Irregular Present Tense of Ir

Voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van.

Periphrastic Future

Vais a + comer, vais a + dormir.

Reflexive Pronoun Placement

Os vais / Vais a irnos... no, vais a iros.

Preposition 'a' with destination

Vais a Madrid (not Vais Madrid).

Gerund for progressive action

Vais mejorando poco a poco.

Examples by Level

Vosotros vais al cine.

You all go to the cinema.

Basic use of 'vais' for physical movement.

¿Vais a la escuela hoy?

Are you all going to school today?

Question form using 'vais'.

Vais al parque con el perro.

You all go to the park with the dog.

Subject 'vosotros' is implied.

No vais a la fiesta.

You all are not going to the party.

Negative sentence with 'no'.

¿A dónde vais ahora?

Where are you all going now?

Use of interrogative '¿A dónde?'.

Vais a la playa en verano.

You all go to the beach in summer.

Habitual action in the present.

Vosotros vais muy rápido.

You all go very fast.

Adverb 'rápido' modifying the verb.

Vais a Madrid en tren.

You all go to Madrid by train.

Use of 'en' for means of transport.

Vais a estudiar mucho mañana.

You all are going to study a lot tomorrow.

Periphrastic future: ir + a + infinitive.

¿Vais a comer paella hoy?

Are you all going to eat paella today?

Future intention question.

Vais de vacaciones a Italia.

You all go on vacation to Italy.

Fixed expression 'ir de vacaciones'.

Vais de compras al centro comercial.

You all go shopping at the mall.

Fixed expression 'ir de compras'.

Os vais de la fiesta muy temprano.

You all are leaving the party very early.

Reflexive 'irse' meaning 'to leave'.

¿Vais a ver la película nueva?

Are you all going to see the new movie?

Future plan with 'ver'.

Vais a pie porque está cerca.

You all go on foot because it is nearby.

Expression 'a pie' (on foot).

No vais a llegar a tiempo.

You all are not going to arrive on time.

Negative future prediction.

Vais aprendiendo español poco a poco.

You all are learning Spanish bit by bit.

Ir + gerund expressing gradual progress.

Sé que vais por el buen camino.

I know you all are on the right track.

Metaphorical use of 'ir'.

¿Cómo vais con el proyecto?

How are you all doing with the project?

Asking about progress.

Vais de listos y no sabéis nada.

You all are acting clever but you know nothing.

Idiomatic 'ir de' + adjective (acting like).

Vais a tener que esforzaros más.

You all are going to have to make more effort.

Future necessity with 'tener que'.

Si vais por la calle, tened cuidado.

If you all go out on the street, be careful.

Conditional 'si' clause.

Vais de uniforme al trabajo.

You all go to work in uniform.

Describing state or attire.

¿Vais a venir a mi boda?

Are you all going to come to my wedding?

Future invitation.

Vais de cráneo con tanto trabajo.

You all are overwhelmed with so much work.

Colloquial idiom 'ir de cráneo'.

Os vais superando cada día más.

You all are outdoing yourselves more every day.

Reflexive 'superarse' with 'ir' as auxiliary.

Vais a contracorriente con esa idea.

You all are going against the grain with that idea.

Idiom 'ir a contracorriente'.

Si vais de ese palo, no os ayudaré.

If you all act that way, I won't help you.

Slang 'ir de ese palo' (to act like that).

Vais directos al fracaso si no cambiáis.

You all are heading straight for failure if you don't change.

Expressing a direct consequence.

¿Vais a permitir que esto ocurra?

Are you all going to allow this to happen?

Rhetorical future question.

Vais muy elegantes para ser una cena informal.

You all are dressed very elegantly for an informal dinner.

Describing appearance.

Vais a flipar con lo que os voy a contar.

You all are going to freak out at what I'm going to tell you.

Slang 'flipar' (to be amazed/shocked).

Vais desgranando los detalles poco a poco.

You all are breaking down the details bit by bit.

Metaphorical gerund use.

Vais a la zaga en la carrera tecnológica.

You all are lagging behind in the technology race.

Idiom 'ir a la zaga' (to lag behind).

Vais por lana y salís trasquilados.

You all go for wool and come back shorn (you got more than you bargained for).

Classic Spanish proverb.

Vais encaminados hacia una solución justa.

You all are headed toward a fair solution.

Passive-like construction with 'ir'.

Vais de víctimas, pero sois los culpables.

You all are playing the victim, but you are the guilty ones.

Idiomatic 'ir de' (playing a role).

Vais a tener que rendir cuentas ante el juez.

You all are going to have to give an account before the judge.

Formal idiom 'rendir cuentas'.

Vais perdiendo fuelle a medida que avanza el año.

You all are losing steam as the year progresses.

Idiom 'perder fuelle' with 'ir'.

Vais a ciegas en este mercado tan volátil.

You all are going in blind in this volatile market.

Idiom 'ir a ciegas'.

Vais errados si pensáis que claudicaremos.

You all are mistaken if you think we will give in.

Formal adjective 'errado' with 'ir'.

Vais en pos de un ideal inalcanzable.

You all are in pursuit of an unreachable ideal.

Literary 'en pos de' (in pursuit of).

Vais a la deriva sin un liderazgo claro.

You all are drifting without clear leadership.

Idiom 'ir a la deriva'.

Vais de la mano en este turbio asunto.

You all are working together in this shady matter.

Idiom 'ir de la mano' (to work closely).

Vais a ser testigos de un cambio de paradigma.

You all are going to be witnesses to a paradigm shift.

High-level academic vocabulary.

Vais despojados de todo prejuicio a la reunión.

You all go to the meeting stripped of all prejudice.

Sophisticated participle use.

Vais a contracorriente de la moral de la época.

You all are going against the grain of the era's morality.

Abstract philosophical usage.

Vais abocados a un conflicto sin precedentes.

You all are headed for an unprecedented conflict.

Formal verb 'abocar' in passive 'ir' construction.

Common Collocations

vais a pie

vais en coche

vais de compras

vais de vacaciones

vais por buen camino

vais tarde

vais de viaje

vais a ver

vais de tapas

vais sobrados

Common Phrases

¿Cómo vais?

— How are you all doing? or How is your progress?

Hola chicos, ¿cómo vais con la mudanza?

¿A dónde vais?

— Where are you all going?

¿A dónde vais tan arreglados?

Vais a flipar

— You all are going to be amazed or shocked.

Vais a flipar con el concierto de anoche.

Vais de culo

— You all are having a very hard time or are very busy (vulgar/informal).

Con tantos exámenes, vais de culo.

Vais por libre

— You all are doing your own thing or acting independently.

En este proyecto vosotros siempre vais por libre.

Vais de listos

— You all are acting like you're smarter than everyone else.

No vayáis de listos, que os han pillado.

Vais a lo vuestro

— You all only care about your own interests.

Nunca ayudáis, siempre vais a lo vuestro.

Vais de etiqueta

— You all are dressed in formal wear.

¡Qué guapos! Vais de etiqueta para la gala.

Vais a medias

— You all are sharing the costs or responsibilities 50/50.

Si vais a medias en el alquiler, os saldrá barato.

Vais de cabeza

— You all are very stressed or rushing.

En la oficina vais de cabeza esta semana.

Often Confused With

vais vs vas

Vas is singular (you go), vais is plural (you all go).

vais vs van

Van is the plural form used in Latin America or for formal 'ustedes' in Spain.

vais vs vayáis

Vayáis is the subjunctive form, used for doubts, wishes, or after 'que'.

Idioms & Expressions

"ir de cráneo"

— To be overwhelmed with work or problems.

Sé que vais de cráneo con la entrega final.

informal

"ir al grano"

— To get straight to the point.

Vais al grano y no perdéis el tiempo.

neutral

"ir sobre ruedas"

— To go very smoothly or perfectly.

Vuestro negocio va sobre ruedas... vais por buen camino.

informal

"ir de perlas"

— To suit someone perfectly or to go very well.

Esas vacaciones os vais... no, os van de perlas.

informal

"ir por lana y salir trasquilado"

— To go for something and end up losing or being humiliated.

Vais por lana y salís trasquilados de esa negociación.

literary/proverb

"ir de farol"

— To be bluffing.

No os creo, vais de farol.

informal

"ir a misa"

— To be indisputable or final (usually 'lo que digo va a misa').

Lo que vosotros decidáis vais... no, lo que decidáis va a misa.

informal

"ir de punta en blanco"

— To be dressed impeccably.

Vais de punta en blanco para la boda.

neutral

"ir al tajo"

— To get to work.

Venga, ¡vais al tajo ya!

informal

"ir viento en popa"

— To be going very well (sailing metaphor).

Vais viento en popa con vuestros estudios.

neutral

Easily Confused

vais vs veis

Similar spelling and sound.

Vais comes from 'ir' (to go). Veis comes from 'ver' (to see).

Vais al cine y veis una película.

vais vs vais vs os vais

Learners forget the reflexive pronoun.

Vais is 'you all go (to)'. Os vais is 'you all are leaving'.

Vais a casa (going to) vs. Os vais de casa (leaving).

vais vs dais

Rhyming and similar structure.

Dais is from 'dar' (to give). Vais is from 'ir' (to go).

Vais a la tienda y dais el dinero.

vais vs vais vs vamos

Both are plural forms of 'ir'.

Vamos is 'we go'. Vais is 'you all go'.

Nosotros vamos, vosotros vais.

vais vs bais

Phonetic spelling error.

Bais does not exist. Vais is the correct spelling.

Always use 'v' for 'ir' in the present tense.

Sentence Patterns

Vosotros vais a [Lugar].

Vosotros vais a la playa.

Vais a [Infinitivo].

Vais a comer pizza.

Vais de [Actividad].

Vais de compras.

¿Cómo vais con [Sustantivo]?

¿Cómo vais con el trabajo?

Vais [Gerundio].

Vais aprendiendo mucho.

Vais de [Adjetivo].

Vais de listos.

Vais a la zaga de [Sustantivo].

Vais a la zaga de la competencia.

Vais abocados a [Sustantivo].

Vais abocados al desastre.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in Spain, zero in the Americas.

Common Mistakes

Vosotros vaís tarde. → Vosotros vais tarde.
Adding an accent mark to 'vais' is incorrect because it is a monosyllable.
Vosotros bais al cine. → Vosotros vais al cine.
The verb 'ir' is spelled with a 'v' in the present tense, never a 'b'.
Ustedes vais a comer. → Vosotros vais a comer. / Ustedes van a comer.
'Vais' only conjugates with 'vosotros'. 'Ustedes' requires 'van'.
Vais Madrid hoy. → Vais a Madrid hoy.
The preposition 'a' is required after 'ir' when indicating a destination.
No quiero que vais. → No quiero que vayáis.
After 'que' expressing a wish, the subjunctive 'vayáis' must be used instead of the indicative 'vais'.

Tips

No Accent Needed

Don't be tempted to put an accent on 'vais'. Even though 'estáis' and 'estáis' have them, 'vais' is a single syllable and doesn't require one.

Spain Only

If your goal is to speak like a Mexican or Argentinian, you can safely ignore 'vais' and focus on 'van'. But if you love Spain, it's a must!

Easy Future

Use 'vais a' + any verb to talk about what a group is going to do. It's much easier than learning the future tense endings!

Activity 'De'

Remember that 'vais de' is used for activities like 'compras' (shopping) or 'vacaciones' (vacation).

The 'V' Sound

In Spanish, 'v' and 'b' are the same. Don't bite your lip like an English 'v'; keep your lips close together.

Social Closeness

Using 'vais' in Spain shows you are comfortable with the group. It's a friendly, warm way to speak.

Don't say 'Bais'

Even though it sounds like a 'b', always write it with a 'v'. 'Bais' is a common spelling mistake for kids.

Aspirated 'S'

In the south of Spain, 'vais' might sound like 'vai'. Don't be confused; it's the same word!

The 'A' Bridge

Always use 'a' after 'vais' when going to a place. 'Vais a la playa' is correct; 'Vais la playa' is not.

Progress Check

Use '¿Cómo vais?' to ask friends how they are doing with a task or how their day is going.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Vais' as 'Vice'. You all have the 'vice' of 'going' to the beach too much!

Visual Association

Imagine a group of people (vosotros) pointing toward a giant letter 'V' in the distance and walking toward it.

Word Web

ir vosotros España movimiento futuro a pie en coche de compras

Challenge

Try to use 'vais' in three different sentences today: one for physical movement, one for a future plan, and one with 'de' (like 'de vacaciones').

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'vādere', specifically the form 'vāditis'.

Original meaning: To walk, to go, or to advance.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Romance -> Spanish.

Cultural Context

Be aware that while 'vais' is standard in Spain, it is practically non-existent in the Americas. Using it in the wrong region won't cause offense, but it will sound very out of place.

English speakers often struggle because they don't have a dedicated informal plural 'you'. 'Vais' fills the gap that 'y'all' or 'you guys' fills in English.

The Spanish TV show 'La Casa de Papel' uses 'vais' constantly as the Professor addresses his team. Spanish pop songs by artists like Rosalía or C. Tangana use 'vosotros' forms to connect with their Spanish audience. Don Quixote uses archaic versions of these forms, showing the long history of the 'vosotros' conjugation.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel and Directions

¿Vais por aquí?
Vais en la dirección equivocada.
¿Vais a la estación?
Vais directos al centro.

Future Plans

¿Qué vais a hacer?
Vais a pasarlo bien.
Vais a llegar tarde.
Vais a ver qué divertido.

Socializing

¿Vais de fiesta?
¿Vais a tomar algo?
Vais muy guapos hoy.
¿Os vais ya?

Work and School

Vais muy bien con la tarea.
¿Vais a entregar el informe?
Vais a tener un examen.
Vais por el capítulo tres.

Sports and Games

Vais ganando por dos goles.
Vais a perder si no corréis.
¿Vais a jugar otra partida?
Vais los primeros en la liga.

Conversation Starters

"¿A qué hora vais a salir de casa este sábado para ir a la montaña?"

"¿Vais a probar el nuevo restaurante que han abierto en la esquina?"

"¿Cómo vais con los preparativos para el viaje de fin de curso?"

"¿Vais a ver el partido de fútbol en el bar o en vuestra casa?"

"¿Por qué vais siempre tan cargados con tantas maletas cuando viajáis?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre un lugar al que tú y tus amigos vais a menudo y explica por qué os gusta tanto.

Describe los planes que vais a realizar tú y tu familia durante las próximas vacaciones de verano.

Imagina que hablas con un grupo de turistas: ¿qué consejos les darías sobre a dónde vais... no, a dónde deben ir en tu ciudad?

Escribe una pequeña historia que empiece con la frase: 'Vosotros no vais a creer lo que vi ayer'.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in Mexico and the rest of Latin America, 'van' is used instead of 'vais'. 'Vais' is specific to Spain.

No, 'vais' does not have an accent. It is a monosyllable, and according to Spanish spelling rules, monosyllables only have accents to distinguish them from other words (like 'tú' vs 'tu').

'Vais' means 'you all go' (usually to a place). 'Os vais' is the reflexive form meaning 'you all are leaving' or 'departing'.

You say 'Vais a comer'. This uses the 'ir + a + infinitive' structure.

No, 'vais' only goes with 'vosotros'. With 'ustedes', you must use 'van'.

In Spain, 'vais' is informal. It is used with friends, family, and peers.

The verb 'ir' is a 'suppletive' verb, meaning its forms come from three different Latin verbs (ire, vadere, esse), which is why 'voy' and 'fui' look so different.

It is an idiom meaning 'you all are acting like you are smart' or 'you are being cocky'.

It sounds like 'vice' in English, but with a Spanish 'v/b' sound. It is one syllable.

Yes, it is used in Spain in all types of writing, from text messages to novels and newspapers, whenever addressing a group informally.