Irregular verbs don’t follow the usual patterns and must be learned individually because they appear so often in speech and writing. This guide highlights the most important irregular verbs with clear examples.

Ir

The verb ir (to go) is irregular in the present tense and is used for travel, plans, and directions. It’s also part of common expressions.

PersonSpanish irEnglishPersonSpanish irEnglish
yovoyI gonosotrosvamoswe go
tĂșvasyou govosotrosvaisyou all go
él/ella/ud.vahe/she/you goellos/ellas/uds.vanthey/you all go
Yo(ir) al mercado mañana.

I am going to the market tomorrow.

Ser

The verb ser (to be) is irregular and used for identity, time, origin, and more. It appears in many set phrases and descriptions.

PersonSpanish serEnglishPersonSpanish serEnglish
yosoyI amnosotrossomoswe are
tĂșeresyou arevosotrossoisyou all are
él/ella/ud.eshe/she/you isellos/ellas/uds.sonthey/you all are

Estar

The verb estar (to be) is irregular and used for temporary states, locations, and conditions. It contrasts with ser and appears in many everyday expressions.

PersonSpanish estarEnglishPersonSpanish estarEnglish
yoestoyI amnosotrosestamoswe are
tĂșestĂĄsyou arevosotrosestĂĄisyou all are
él/ella/ud.eståhe/she/you isellos/ellas/uds.estånthey/you all are

Hacer

The verb hacer (to do, to make) is irregular in some forms and is used for activities, weather expressions, and more. It appears in many useful phrases.

PersonSpanish hacerEnglishPersonSpanish hacerEnglish
yohagoI do/makenosotroshacemoswe do/make
tĂșhacesyou do/makevosotroshacĂ©isyou all do/make
él/ella/ud.hacehe/she/you doesellos/ellas/uds.hacenthey/you all do/make

Tener

The verb tener (to have) is irregular and used for possession, age, sensations, and obligations. It appears in many common expressions with que and other modifiers.

PersonSpanish tenerEnglishPersonSpanish tenerEnglish
yotengoI havenosotrostenemoswe have
tĂștienesyou havevosotrostenĂ©isyou all have
él/ella/ud.tienehe/she/you hasellos/ellas/uds.tienenthey/you all have

Venir

The verb venir (to come) is irregular and used for arrivals, invitations, and time expressions. It’s important for describing movement toward the speaker.

PersonSpanish venirEnglishPersonSpanish venirEnglish
yovengoI comenosotrosvenimoswe come
tĂșvienesyou comevosotrosvenĂ­syou all come
él/ella/ud.vienehe/she/you comesellos/ellas/uds.vienenthey/you all come

Decir

The verb decir (to say, to tell) is irregular and used for reporting speech, giving information, and directions. It appears in many everyday dialogues.

PersonSpanish decirEnglishPersonSpanish decirEnglish
yodigoI say/tellnosotrosdecimoswe say/tell
tĂșdicesyou say/tellvosotrosdecĂ­syou all say/tell
él/ella/ud.dicehe/she/you saysellos/ellas/uds.dicenthey/you all say/tell

Summary

Irregular verbs like ir, ser, estar, hacer, tener, venir, and decir appear everywhere and shape how you talk about actions, identity, time, and more. Learn their forms and practice common expressions to speak naturally.

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Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025