The Spanish present tense (el presente de indicativo) is one of the most important verb tenses. It describes actions that are habitual, general truths, or happening right now. It also sets the stage for talking about the near future.
Conjugations
The present tense follows different patterns depending on the verb ending: -ar, -er, or -ir. Here are the regular endings:
| Pronoun | -ar (hablar) | -er (comer) | -ir (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablo | como | vivo |
| tú | hablas | comes | vives |
| él/ella/usted | habla | come | vive |
| nosotros/-as | hablamos | comemos | vivimos |
| vosotros/-as | habláis | coméis | vivís |
| ellos/-as/ustedes | hablan | comen | viven |
Irregular Stem-Changing Verbs
Some verbs change their stem in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
| Pronoun | pensar (e→ie) | poder (o→ue) | pedir (e→i) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | pienso | puedo | pido |
| tú | piensas | puedes | pides |
| él/ella | piensa | puede | pide |
| nosotros | pensamos | podemos | pedimos |
| vosotros | pensáis | podéis | pedís |
| ellos | piensan | pueden | piden |
Irregular Verb Examples
| Pronoun | ser | ir | tener | hacer | decir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | voy | tengo | hago | digo |
| tú | eres | vas | tienes | haces | dices |
| él/ella | es | va | tiene | hace | dice |
| nosotros | somos | vamos | tenemos | hacemos | decimos |
| vosotros | sois | vais | tenéis | hacéis | decís |
| ellos | son | van | tienen | hacen | dicen |
Usage Rules
Habitual Actions and Routines
Use the present tense to talk about daily habits or routines.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Desayuno a las ocho. | I have breakfast at eight. |
| Siempre tomo café. | I always drink coffee. |
Desayuno a las ocho.
I have breakfast at eight.
'Desayuno a las ocho' uses the present tense to describe a habitual action: I have breakfast at eight.
General Truths and Facts
Express facts or general truths that are always valid.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| El sol sale por el este. | The sun rises in the east. |
| El agua hierve a 100 grados. | Water boils at 100 degrees. |
Actions Happening Now
Describe actions that are occurring at the moment of speaking.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Leo un libro. | I am reading a book. |
| Escucho música. | I am listening to music. |
Near Future
Use the present tense to talk about actions that will happen soon, especially with a time expression.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Salgo en cinco minutos. | I’m leaving in five minutes. |
| Cenamos a las siete. | We’re having dinner at seven. |
Giving Instructions or Directions
The present tense can be used to give commands or directions in a straightforward manner.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Giras a la derecha. | You turn right. |
| Abres la ventana. | You open the window. |
Summary
The Spanish present tense is a versatile tool for expressing routine actions, stating facts, describing current activities, and even talking about the near future. Mastering its regular patterns and common irregularities will empower you to communicate confidently in everyday situations.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English: I have breakfast at eight.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
