Contents
- Uriel Benitez
Irregular Verbs in Spanish: Top 50 Verbs for Daily Conversations
Pssst… heads up! At the end of this post, grab your free download of our complete irregular Spanish verbs table.
Ever stumbled across those Spanish verbs that just don’t play by the rules? We’re talking about the irregular ones – yeah, they can be a real brain teaser. But don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, firstly, we’re breaking down what these quirky verbs are all about. Furthermore, we’re throwing in a list of 50 super useful irregular verbs that’ll jazz up your Spanish chats and boost your language skills.
Lastly, let’s dive in and make sense of these rule-breakers!
What are irregular Spanish verbs?
Irregular verbs in Spanish, unlike regular verbs, do not follow standard conjugation rules, making them tricky for learners.
These verbs often change stems or endings in unpredictable ways across different tenses and persons.
For example, the verb “tener” (to have) becomes “tengo” in the first person singular present tense, deviating from the regular pattern.
|
Pronoun
|
Verb
|
|---|---|
|
I – yo
|
Tengo
|
|
You - tú
|
Tienes
|
|
he/she/it – él, ella
|
Tiene
|
|
We – nosotros
|
Tenemos
|
|
You – ustedes
|
Tienen
|
|
They – ellos/ellas
|
Tienen
|
Conjugating Irregular Verbs in Spanish
Conjugating irregular verbs in Spanish can seem like a maze, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze.
Unlike their regular cousins, these verbs change up the script in various tenses. Take “ser” (to be), for instance. In the present tense, it’s “soy,” “eres,” “es,” and so on, stepping away from the usual -ar, -er, -ir endings.
Similarly, “ir” becomes “voy,” “vas,” “va.” Identifying such patterns is crucial.
We’ll walk you through some of these twists and turns, showing you how to bend these verbs to your will in conversation!
The common patterns for irregular verbs in Spanish include:
Stem Changes (e.g., "e" to "ie"):
- “Pensar” (to think): “Yo pienso” (I think)
- “Querer” (to want): “Yo quiero” (I want)
- “Empezar” (to begin): “Yo empiezo” (I begin)
Irregular Yo Form:
- “Salir” (to leave): “Yo salgo” (I leave)
- “Hacer” (to do/make): “Yo hago” (I do/make)
- “Poner” (to put): “Yo pongo” (I put)
Spelling Changes (to preserve sound):
- “Conducir” (to drive): “Yo conduzco” (I drive)
- “Elegir” (to choose): “Yo elijo” (I choose)
- “Seguir” (to follow): “Yo sigo” (I follow)
Completely Irregular:
- “Ser” (to be): “Yo soy” (I am)
- “Ir” (to go): “Yo voy” (I go)
- “Tener” (to have): “Yo tengo” (I have)
- “Venir” (to come): “Yo vengo” (I come)
Mastering 50 Key Irregular Verbs in Spanish
Here are the 50 most common irregular verbs in Spanish you’ll need in everyday life.
Stem Changes (e.g., "e" to "ie"):
Irregular Yo Form:
Spelling Changes:
Completely Irregular:
Download the complete list!
Just like we promised at the start, we’ve got a special treat for you!
Download this handy image that lays out all the irregular verb conjugations we’ve discussed. It’s perfect for a quick study aid or even as a nifty wallpaper for your desktop. Keep it close for a quick Spanish verb conjugation refresher!
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