The verb salir is irregular in several forms and tenses, especially in the first person singular (yo) and in some compound forms. It is used for leaving a place, going out socially, or indicating an outcome (e.g., “salir bien” — to turn out well).
Present Tense
The present tense of salir is used to talk about habitual actions, general truths, and things happening now. Note the irregular salgo in the yo form.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Salgo a las ocho. | I leave at eight. |
| tú | ¿Sales esta noche? | Are you going out tonight? |
| él/ella/Ud. | Ella sale temprano. | She leaves early. |
| nosotros | Salimos juntos. | We go out together. |
| vosotros | Salís tarde. | You all leave late. |
| ellos/Uds. | Salen con amigos. | They go out with friends. |
Preterite
The preterite tense of salir is used for actions completed in the past. It is irregular in all forms with the root sal- and regular endings. Note the accent on yo salí and él/ella salió.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Salí de casa a las seis. | I left home at six. |
| tú | Saliste del trabajo. | You left work. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Salió tarde anoche. | He/she left late last night. |
| nosotros | Salimos juntos ayer. | We went out together yesterday. |
| vosotros | Salisteis rápido. | You all left quickly. |
| ellos/Uds. | Salieron temprano. | They left early. |
Future
The future tense of salir is formed by adding endings to the infinitive salir-. It expresses what will happen or what someone will do.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Saldré a las nueve. | I will leave at nine. |
| tú | Saldrás con ellos. | You will go out with them. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Saldrá pronto. | She/he will leave soon. |
| nosotros | Saldremos juntos. | We will leave together. |
| vosotros | Saldréis a tiempo. | You all will leave on time. |
| ellos/Uds. | Saldrán más tarde. | They will leave later. |
Conditional
The conditional tense is formed by adding endings to salir- and is used to express what would happen under certain conditions or to make polite requests.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Saldría contigo. | I would go out with you. |
| tú | Saldrías temprano. | You would leave early. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Saldría más tarde. | He/she would leave later. |
| nosotros | Saldríamos juntos. | We would leave together. |
| vosotros | Saldríais ahora. | You all would leave now. |
| ellos/Uds. | Saldrían pronto. | They would leave soon. |
They would leave soon.
Saldrían pronto.
**Saldrían** is the third-person plural conditional form, indicating “would leave.”
Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is formed from the yo form (salgo) by dropping -o and adding the subjunctive endings. It is used in dependent clauses to express doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | Espero que salga temprano. | I hope he/she leaves early. |
| tú | Ojalá salgas hoy. | I wish you would go out today. |
| él/ella/Ud. | Es posible que salga tarde. | It’s possible she leaves late. |
| nosotros | Quizás salgamos juntos. | Maybe we’ll go out together. |
| vosotros | Espero que salgáis pronto. | I hope you all leave soon. |
| ellos/Uds. | Dudo que salgan ahora. | I doubt they leave now. |
Maybe we’ll go out together.
Quizás salgamos juntos.
**Salgamos** is the first-person plural present subjunctive, used after **quizás**.
Imperative (Commands)
The imperative mood is used for giving orders or advice. Note that the tú affirmative form uses sal, and the negative tú form uses the subjunctive no salgas.
| Spanish Form | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| tú (affirmative) | ¡Sal ahora! | Leave now! |
| tú (negative) | No salgas tarde. | Don’t leave late. |
| Ud. | Salga temprano. | Leave early. |
| Uds. | Salgan juntos. | Leave together. |
| nosotros | Salgamos ya. | Let’s leave now. |
Irregular Form Notes
- Yo form (present): salgo
- Future/Conditional stem: saldr-
- Mandato tú afirmativo: sal
What stem do you use for the future and conditional tenses of salir?
saldr-
Future and conditional tenses use the irregular stem **saldr-** before adding endings.
Common Uses
- Salir + de (leave from)
- Salir + con (go out with)
- Salir bien/mal (turn out well/badly)
- Salir a + infinitive (go out to do something)
How do you express 'leave from home' using salir?
salir + de
Use **salir de** followed by the place to mean “leave from” somewhere.
Summary
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Flashcards (1 of 35)
- English Example: I leave at eight.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
