Going Places: The Verb IR (to go)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The verb 'ir' means 'to go' and is highly irregular, so you must memorize its unique conjugation pattern by heart.
- Use 'ir' to express movement: 'Eu vou ao mercado' (I go to the market).
- Always combine 'ir' with 'a' (to) when indicating a destination: 'Vou a Lisboa'.
- Use 'ir' + 'a' + infinitive to talk about the near future: 'Vou comer' (I am going to eat).
Overview
The verb ir (to go) is unequivocally one of the most fundamental and frequently used verbs in Portuguese. For learners at CEFR A1, mastering ir is not merely beneficial; it is essential. This verb serves two primary functions: expressing literal movement from one place to another and, crucially, forming the most common way to talk about the immediate future.
Despite its simple two-letter infinitive form, ir is highly irregular in the present tense, transforming significantly and requiring memorization. Understanding its unique conjugation and nuanced usage will unlock a vast portion of daily communication in Portuguese, allowing you to discuss destinations and future plans with confidence.
Conjugation Table
| Subject Pronoun | Verb Form | Translation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| :-------------- | :-------- | :-------------------- | ||
Eu |
vou |
I go / I am going | ||
Tu (PT-EU) |
vais |
You go (informal) | ||
Você |
vai |
You go (formal/BR) | ||
Ele/Ela |
vai |
He/She goes | ||
Nós |
vamos |
We go | ||
A gente (BR) |
vai |
We go (informal) | ||
Vocês |
vão |
You all go | ||
Eles/Elas |
vão |
They go |
How This Grammar Works
ir stems from its ancestor, the Latin verb vadere, meaning "to advance" or "to go." Over centuries, vadere developed forms like vado, vas, vat, which ultimately led to the v-initial conjugations (vou, vais, vai, vamos, vão) we observe in modern Portuguese. This historical linguistic shift explains the apparent disconnect between the infinitive ir and its conjugated forms, providing the reason why it starts with a 'v' rather than an 'i' or 'j'.ir fundamentally works by expressing movement towards a destination or indicating an intended action. Unlike some verbs where the infinitive gives a strong hint about conjugation, ir demands direct memorization of its present tense forms. This memorization is highly rewarding, as ir is not just about physical transit but also about temporal intention.Formation Pattern
ir does not adhere to the standard -ar, -er, or -ir conjugation patterns. There is no simple stem to identify or suffix to attach. Instead, you're observing remnants of an older Latin verb system. The formation pattern for ir in the present tense is characterized by the initial v sound, which appears across all persons.
Eu vou (I go/am going): The ou ending is unique and must be learned.
Tu vais (You go/are going): The ais ending is distinct for tu.
Você/Ele/Ela vai (You/He/She goes/is going): The singular third-person form is simply vai.
Nós vamos (We go/are going): The amos ending here is reminiscent of -ar verbs, offering a slight mnemonic.
Vocês/Eles/Elas vão (You all/They go/are going): The ão ending is a common nasal sound in Portuguese. Pronounce this with a sustained, nasal 'a' sound, as if the 'o' is barely pronounced, often compared to the 'ow-ng' in English 'sow-ng'.
v-centric pattern is the key to recognizing and recalling the conjugation. For instance, if you hear someone say Vamos ao cinema, you instantly recognize it as 'We are going to the cinema' because of the vamos form, which is undeniably from ir.
When To Use It
Ir is deployed in Portuguese in two primary, yet conceptually distinct, scenarios: to indicate physical movement to a destination and to construct the near future tense.ir, directly translating to "to go." It signifies displacement from one point to another. When using ir for movement, you must pay careful attention to the prepositions that follow, as they convey important nuances about the nature of the travel.Ir a(to go to - for short, often temporary visits or destinations): This preposition is used when the journey is perceived as a round trip or a temporary visit, implying you will return from the destination. It frequently contracts with definite articles.Eu vou ao mercado.(I am going to the market.) Here,a+o(masculine article) =ao.Nós vamos à praia.(We are going to the beach.) Here,a+a(feminine article) =à.Ele vai a Lisboa.(He is going to Lisbon.) Cities typically do not take articles in this construction, so no contraction.
Ir para(to go to - for longer stays, permanent moves, or emphasizing the destination): This preposition implies a more significant or prolonged stay at the destination, or simply places a stronger emphasis on the destination itself as the end point, rather than the return journey. It also contracts with definite articles.Ela vai para o Brasil.(She is going to Brazil.)para+o=para o(no contraction into one word, butpròis common in very informal speech).Eles vão para casa.(They are going home.) This is a common idiom and one of the few instances whereparais almost universally used forcasa(home), regardless of duration.Vou para a cama agora.(I am going to bed now.)
- Structure:
ir(conjugated in the present tense) + infinitive verb. Eu vou comer pizza.(I am going to eat pizza.)Nós vamos estudar para a prova.(We are going to study for the test.)Você vai ligar para ela?(Are you going to call her?)
ir combines with the preposition de (by/of) followed by the mode of transport.Eu vou de carro.(I go by car.)Nós vamos de ônibus.(We go by bus.)Eles vão de avião para Londres.(They are going to London by plane.)
When Not To Use It
ir is inappropriate is as crucial as knowing when to use it, preventing common miscommunications and unnatural-sounding sentences.estar):ir to describe being at a location. Ir implies movement to a destination. If you are already somewhere, use the verb estar (to be, for temporary states/locations).- Incorrect:
Eu vou no cinema.(If you mean "I am at the cinema.") - Correct:
Eu estou no cinema.(I am at the cinema.) - Correct:
Eu vou ao cinema.(I am going to the cinema.)
Vir (To Come):Ir means movement away from the speaker, while vir (to come) means movement towards the speaker. This can be tricky because English often uses "come" in scenarios where Portuguese uses ir.- Imagine you are at home, and a friend calls, asking if you're attending a party they're at. In English, you might say, "I'm coming!" In Portuguese, from your perspective of moving away from your current location (home) to the party, you would say:
Eu estou indo para a festa.(I am going/on my way to the party.)- You would not say:
Eu estou vindo para a festa.(This would imply you are already at the party and somehow coming from it to yourself, or that the party is coming to you.)
andar, passear):Ir always suggests a specific destination. If you are merely walking around without a particular goal, or strolling, other verbs are more appropriate.Eu ando no parque todos os dias.(I walk in the park every day - general activity, no specific endpoint.)Nós passeamos pela cidade.(We strolled around the city - aimless enjoyment of movement.)- Incorrect:
Eu vou no parque todos os dias.(If you mean you simply walk around in the park, not that you go to the park as a destination.)
Common Mistakes
ir. Addressing these directly can significantly improve accuracy and naturalness.a vs. para) and Article Contractions:ir a and ir para can be challenging, especially as native speakers sometimes use para more broadly in casual Brazilian speech than strict grammar might dictate for short visits.- The Rule:
Ir aimplies a return;ir paraimplies a destination for a longer or indefinite period. Always strive for the distinction, especially in formal contexts. - Intended short visit:
Vou ao dentista.(I'm going to the dentist - you will return.) - Intended longer stay/emphasis on destination:
Vou para a faculdade.(I'm going to college - implying a period of time there.)
- The Contractions: Forgetting the required contractions (
ao,à,aos,às) is another frequent error. The prepositionarequires contraction with definite articles (o,a,os,as). - Incorrect:
Eu vou a o trabalho. - Correct:
Eu vou ao trabalho.(I am going to work.) - Incorrect:
Nós vamos a a casa. - Correct:
Nós vamos à casa.(We are going to the house.)
irei), the ir + infinitive construction is far more prevalent in spoken Portuguese for everyday future plans. Learners often try to force the simple future or use present tense with future adverbs too broadly, leading to less natural speech.- Less Natural:
Amanhã estudarei.(Tomorrow I will study.) - More Natural:
Amanhã vou estudar.(Tomorrow I am going to study.)
Tu/Você or Nós/A gente:tu is used (primarily Portugal, some parts of Brazil), ensure you use vais. If you're using você (dominant in Brazil), use vai. Similarly, if using a gente (informal Brazilian Portuguese for "we"), always pair it with the third-person singular vai, not vamos.- Incorrect (in most of Brazil):
Tu vai ao banco? - Correct (in most of Brazil):
Você vai ao banco? - Correct (in Portugal/some parts of Brazil):
Tu vais ao banco? - Incorrect:
A gente vamos viajar. - Correct:
A gente vai viajar.(We are going to travel.)
Memory Trick
To conquer the irregularity of ir, visual and auditory mnemonics can be highly effective. The key is to connect the unpredictable forms to something memorable, especially the pervasive 'v' sound.
- The 'V' Voyage: Think of ir as embarking on a voyage. All its present tense forms start with a 'v': vou, vais, vai, vamos, vão. Visualize a V-shaped path or a boat with a prominent 'V' on its sail. This anchors the v sound to the concept of "going."
- Singular Forms Rhythm: Pair the singular forms with a simple rhythm. Eu vou (like "vo-o"), Tu vais (like "va-ish"), Ele/Ela/Você vai (like "va-ee"). Practice saying them quickly in this sequence.
- Plural Forms Link: Notice vamos for Nós sounds a bit like an -ar verb, which can be a small anchor. For vão, remember the nasal "ow-ng" sound. Imagine a bell ringing as you vão (go) somewhere, and the sound resonates nasally.
- Ir + Infinitive = Future: For the near future, simply remember that ir acts as a future indicator word. It signals that the next verb (in its infinitive form) is an action that will happen. Think of ir as an arrow pointing forward in time.
Real Conversations
Understanding ir in isolation is one step; observing its use in contemporary, authentic dialogue is another. Here’s how ir functions across various modern communication contexts, often abbreviated or used colloquially.
1. Texting and Social Media:
In informal digital communication, conciseness is key. Ir is frequently used without explicit subject pronouns, relying on context.
- Vou já! (I'm going now! / I'm on my way!) – A quick response to someone asking where you are.
- Bora! (Let's go!) – A common, very informal Brazilian Portuguese shortening of Vamos embora.
- Cês vão sair hoje? (Are you all going out today?) – Cês is an informal contraction of vocês.
- Onde tu vais? (Where are you going?) – Common in PT-EU social media.
2. Casual Conversation:
Everyday spoken Portuguese heavily relies on ir, particularly for immediate plans and movements.
- A gente vai no shopping mais tarde. (We're going to the mall later.) – Note the use of a gente and no instead of ao, common in informal Brazilian speech.
- Vou lá depois. (I'll go there later.) – Lá (there) often replaces a specific destination if it's already understood.
- Que que você vai fazer esse fim de semana? (What are you going to do this weekend?) – Natural question using the near future.
3. Work Emails and Formal Contexts:
Even in formal settings, ir + infinitive is the preferred future construction for clarity and directness, often more so than the simple future tense.
- Anexo a apresentação. Vou enviar o relatório amanhã. (I am attaching the presentation. I will send the report tomorrow.) – Demonstrates ir + infinitive for a definite future action.
- Nós vamos nos reunir às 10h. (We are going to meet at 10 AM.) – Clear, unambiguous scheduling.
- Vou verificar a disponibilidade. (I will check the availability.) – Standard professional phrasing.
Cultural Insight*: The fluidity between ir a and ir para in informal Brazilian Portuguese can be confusing. While the grammatical distinction exists, you'll often hear ir para used even for short trips (e.g., Vou para a escola instead of Vou à escola for a daily commute). For learners, it's safer to stick to the rule, but be aware of this common colloquial variation.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
ir from other verbs or grammatical structures that might seem similar is crucial for precision in Portuguese.Ir (to go) vs. Vir (to come):Ir moves away; vir moves towards.- Scenario: You are hosting a dinner party. Your friend calls to say they've left their house.
- Friend (calling you):
Estou indo para sua casa.(I am going to your house.) - From their perspective, they are moving away from their current location. - You (to another guest, about your friend):
Ele está vindo para cá.(He is coming here.) - From your perspective, your friend is moving towards your location.
Ir (destination-oriented) vs. Andar (to walk, to stroll):andar can sometimes mean "to go" in a general sense, its primary meaning is "to walk" or "to function." Ir always implies a specific endpoint or trajectory.Eu ando muito rápido.(I walk very fast.) - Focus on the manner of walking.Eu ando no parque.(I walk/stroll in the park.) - General activity, no specific destination within the park.Eu vou ao parque.(I am going to the park.) - Specific destination.Como anda o seu trabalho?(How is your work going/functioning?) -Andarmeaning "to be doing/functioning."
Ir + Infinitive (Near Future) vs. Simple Future Tense (irei, comerei):ir + infinitive. However, it's important to understand there's another, more formal future tense.Ir+ infinitive:Eu vou comer.(I am going to eat.) - The most common and natural way to express the future in spoken Portuguese, implying a planned or immediate action.
- Simple Future:
Eu comerei.(I will eat.) - This tense is more formal, less frequently used in casual Brazilian Portuguese, and generally reserved for written language, formal speeches, or expressing more distant or less definite future events. It indicates a future action without the immediate intention or planning implied byir+ infinitive. For A1 learners, prioritizingir+ infinitive is a pragmatic approach to fluency.
Progressive Practice
Consistent, varied practice is key to internalizing the verb ir and its constructions. Move beyond simple memorization to active application.
- Daily Destination Journal: Each day, write down three places you vão (go) and one place you não vão (don't go), using appropriate prepositions and articles. Example: Hoje, eu vou ao trabalho, vou à academia, e vou para casa. Não vou ao cinema.
- Future Plans Role-Play: With a study partner, take turns asking and answering about weekend plans using the ir + infinitive structure. Focus on various verbs. Example: O que você vai fazer no sábado? (What are you going to do on Saturday?) Eu vou dormir muito e depois vou ler um livro. (I am going to sleep a lot and then I am going to read a book.)
- Transportation Sentences: Create sentences describing how different people travel to various places. Example: Meu amigo vai de metrô para o centro. Minha mãe vai de carro para o supermercado.
- Listen and Identify: Actively listen for ir in Portuguese songs, podcasts, or short videos. Try to identify the subject and whether it's used for movement or the future. Note the prepositions used.
- Sentence Transformation: Take simple present tense sentences and transform them into near future sentences. Example: Eu leio um livro. → Eu vou ler um livro. (I read a book. → I am going to read a book.)
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I drop the pronoun
Euwhen usingvou?
Absolutely. In Portuguese, subject pronouns are frequently omitted because the verb conjugation itself indicates the subject. So, Vou ao parque (I'm going to the park) is perfectly natural and more common than Eu vou ao parque in casual speech.
- Q: Does
Vamos!mean "Let's go!"?
Yes, exactly. Vamos! by itself is a direct, enthusiastic command meaning "Let's go!" When followed by an infinitive, such as Vamos comer!, it translates to "Let's eat!" This makes vamos highly versatile for suggesting collective actions.
- Q: How do I correctly pronounce
vão?
Vão has a nasal diphthong. It’s often approximated as an 'ow-ng' sound, similar to the own in town but with a distinct nasal resonance at the end. Try to pronounce va and then let the sound resonate through your nose as you close off the 'o' slightly. The tongue position remains relatively low.
- Q: When should I use
paraorafor countries and cities?
Generally, for cities, ir a (often contracting to ao/à) is preferred: Vou a Paris, Vou ao Rio. For countries, the choice can be more nuanced and often depends on whether the country takes a definite article and the intended duration. For countries with articles (e.g., o Brasil, a França), ir para is common: Vou para o Brasil. For countries without articles (e.g., Portugal), ir a is typically used: Vou a Portugal. However, the ir para construction is becoming increasingly common for all countries in informal speech, reflecting an emphasis on the destination as the endpoint rather than a temporary visit. The ir para casa idiom is an exception where para is almost always used for home.
Present Tense of IR
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
|
Eu
|
vou
|
|
Tu
|
vais
|
|
Ele/Ela/Você
|
vai
|
|
Nós
|
vamos
|
|
Vós
|
ides
|
|
Eles/Elas/Vocês
|
vão
|
Meanings
The verb 'ir' is the primary way to express movement toward a destination or to indicate a future action.
Physical Movement
Moving from one place to another.
“Eu vou para casa.”
“Nós vamos ao trabalho.”
Near Future
Expressing an intention to do something soon.
“Vou estudar agora.”
“Vamos jantar fora.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + IR + Destination
|
Eu vou ao parque.
|
|
Negative
|
Não + Subject + IR + Destination
|
Eu não vou ao parque.
|
|
Question
|
IR + Subject + Destination?
|
Vais ao parque?
|
|
Future
|
IR + a + Infinitive
|
Vou comer pizza.
|
|
Short Answer
|
Sim/Não + IR
|
Sim, vou.
|
|
Plural
|
Nós + vamos + Destination
|
Nós vamos à praia.
|
Formality Spectrum
Dirijo-me ao mercado. (Daily errand)
Eu vou ao mercado. (Daily errand)
Vou ao mercado. (Daily errand)
Tô indo no mercado. (Daily errand)
Uses of IR
Movement
- ao mercado to the market
Future
- vou estudar I am going to study
Examples by Level
Eu vou ao mercado.
I am going to the market.
Tu vais à escola?
Are you going to school?
Nós vamos para casa.
We are going home.
Eles vão ao cinema.
They are going to the cinema.
Eu vou estudar português.
I am going to study Portuguese.
Ela vai viajar amanhã.
She is going to travel tomorrow.
Nós vamos jantar fora.
We are going to eat out.
Vocês vão ver o filme?
Are you going to see the movie?
Eu vou-me embora agora.
I am leaving now.
Onde é que vais?
Where are you going?
Vamos ao encontro às dez.
We are going to the meeting at ten.
Eles vão a pé para o trabalho.
They are walking to work.
Se eu fosse, eu iria.
If I went, I would go.
Vais ter de ir ao médico.
You will have to go to the doctor.
Ele vai acabar por entender.
He will eventually understand.
Vamos avançar com o projeto.
We are going to move forward with the project.
Vou-me preparando para o pior.
I am preparing myself for the worst.
Vai-se dizendo que ele é rico.
It is said that he is rich.
Vamos lá ver o que acontece.
Let's see what happens.
Ela vai de vento em popa.
She is doing very well.
Ide e pregai o evangelho.
Go and preach the gospel.
Vão-se os anéis, ficam os dedos.
The rings go, the fingers remain.
Ele vai-se tornando mais sábio.
He is becoming wiser.
Vamos a isso!
Let's do it!
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'going' and 'coming'.
Learners forget the reflexive pronoun.
Preposition choice.
Common Mistakes
Eu iro
Eu vou
Vou em casa
Vou para casa
Ele vai ao escola
Ele vai à escola
Nós vai
Nós vamos
Vou comer pizza amanhã
Vou comer pizza amanhã
Vou para o cinema
Vou ao cinema
Eles vão comer
Eles vão comer
Vou-me
Vou-me embora
Vou a que?
Onde vais?
Ele vai de ir
Ele vai
Vou indo
Vou-me
Ele vai ser ido
Ele foi
Vou a ver
Vou ver
Sentence Patterns
Eu vou ___ ___.
Nós vamos ___ ___ amanhã.
Tu vais ___ ___?
Eles vão ___ ___ muito cedo.
Real World Usage
Tô indo!
Vou para o aeroporto.
Vou assumir a responsabilidade.
O estafeta vai chegar.
Vou postar uma foto.
Vou querer o menu.
Memorize the 'vou' form
Don't conjugate like -ir verbs
Use 'ir' for the future
Regional differences
Smart Tips
Use 'ir' + 'a' + infinitive instead of the complex future tense.
If in doubt, use 'a' for European Portuguese and 'para' for Brazilian.
Remember it is the plural form for 'they' or 'you all'.
Use 'vou-me embora' to sound native.
Pronunciation
Vou
Pronounced like 'voh'.
Vão
The 'ão' is a nasal sound.
Question
Vais ao cinema? ↗
Rising intonation at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Vou, vais, vai, vamos, ides, vão — remember it like a rhythmic drum beat!
Visual Association
Imagine a person walking (vou) then running (vais) then jumping (vai) toward a giant map.
Rhyme
Eu vou, tu vais, ele vai, vamos todos, ninguém cai!
Story
I am going (vou) to the store. You are going (vais) to the park. She is going (vai) to work. We are all going (vamos) to the party!
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about where you are going today using the verb 'ir'.
Cultural Notes
Brazilians often use 'ir para' for destinations and 'ir em' in colloquial speech.
European Portuguese speakers strictly use 'ir a' for destinations.
Usage is similar to Brazil, often incorporating local slang.
Derived from the Latin 'ire'.
Conversation Starters
Aonde vais hoje?
O que vais fazer amanhã?
Costumas ir ao cinema?
Para onde irias se pudesses?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Eu ___ ao mercado.
Nós ___ à praia.
Find and fix the mistake:
Tu vai ao cinema.
ao / vou / mercado / eu
Eles ___ à escola.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Vais ao parque? B: Sim, ___.
The verb 'ir' is regular.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesEu ___ ao mercado.
Nós ___ à praia.
Find and fix the mistake:
Tu vai ao cinema.
ao / vou / mercado / eu
Eles ___ à escola.
Eu -> ?, Tu -> ?
A: Vais ao parque? B: Sim, ___.
The verb 'ir' is regular.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesEles ___ viajar amanhã.
A gente ___ ao cinema.
Which is correct for 'Você'?
estudar / Eu / português / vou
Match correctly:
Eu vou em Brasil.
Nós vamos para casa.
Eu vou ___ ônibus.
How do you say 'You go' to a friend in Portugal?
Nós vai sair.
vai / onde / Você / ?
Ela ___ comprar um carro.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, in the present tense, it does not follow standard conjugation rules.
No, only for movement or future intent.
It is a regional preference for destinations.
Just add 'não' before the verb.
Rarely, mostly in formal or archaic contexts.
'Vou' is 'I go', 'venho' is 'I come'.
No, you need the preterite 'fui'.
It is irregular, but it is one of the most frequent verbs, so you will practice it daily.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ir
Portuguese has 'vou' while Spanish has 'voy'.
aller
French uses a completely different root.
gehen
German does not have the same irregular conjugation pattern.
iku
Japanese grammar is agglutinative, not inflectional.
dhahaba
Arabic conjugates based on gender and number differently.
qù
Chinese verbs do not change form.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Future Tense: Using `ir + infinitive`
Overview The construction `ir + infinitive` serves as the primary and most versatile method for expressing future action...
Talking About the Future (Ir + Infinitive)
Overview The periphrastic future, constructed with the verb `ir` (to go) followed by an infinitive, is the most common a...
Ser vs Ir in the Past: Same Word, Different Meaning (fui, foi)
Overview In Portuguese, two foundational verbs, `ser` (to be) and `ir` (to go), exhibit a striking linguistic quirk: the...
Going in the Past: The Verb 'Ir' (ia, íamos)
Overview The Portuguese verb `ir` (to go) in its `Pretérito Imperfeito` (Imperfect Past) forms, primarily `ia` and `íamo...
Related Grammar Rules
Portuguese -ER Verbs: The Present Tense (comer, beber)
Overview Portuguese regular verbs are categorized into three groups based on their infinitive endings: `-ar`, `-er`, and...
Portuguese Verb SER: Who You Are (to be - permanent)
Overview The Portuguese verb `ser` is one of two fundamental verbs translating to 'to be' in English. It describes **inh...
Present Tense: Regular -IR Verbs (Opening & Deciding)
Overview The Portuguese language organizes its verbs into three primary conjugations: those ending in `-ar`, `-er`, and...
Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)
Overview In Portuguese, the verb `ter` is foundational, much like "to have" in English. However, its usage extends signi...
The Verb 'Fazer': To Do and To Make
Overview The Portuguese verb `fazer` is a fundamental and highly versatile verb, serving as the equivalent of both "to d...
