Irregular verbs are a vital part of Spanish grammar. They appear frequently in everyday speech and writing, so it's important to recognize their patterns and learn the most common ones.
Stem-Changing Verbs
Stem-changing verbs, also known as “boot” or “shoe” verbs, change the stem vowel in all forms except for nosotros and vosotros.
Here are the three main types of stem changes:
. e → ie
- The e in the stem changes to ie.
Example: cerrar (to close)
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | cierro la puerta | I close the door |
| tú | cierras la ventana | You close the window |
| él/ella | cierra la tienda | He/she closes the store |
. o → ue
- The o in the stem changes to ue.
Example: dormir (to sleep)
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | duermo ocho horas | I sleep eight hours |
| tú | duermes temprano | You sleep early |
| ellos | duermen mucho | They sleep a lot |
. e → i
- The e in the stem changes to i (common in -ir verbs).
Example: pedir (to ask/order)
| Pronoun | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pido ayuda | I ask for help |
| tú | pides comida | You order food |
| ellos | piden más | They ask for more |
Irregular “Yo” Forms
Some verbs are regular in most forms but have an irregular yo (I) form in the present tense. These changes typically occur only in yo.
Examples:
| Verb | Yo Form | Meaning | Example in Spanish | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hacer | hago | to do/make | Yo hago la tarea. | I do the homework. |
| salir | salgo | to leave/go out | Yo salgo temprano. | I leave early. |
| poner | pongo | to put | Yo pongo la mesa. | I set the table. |
| traer | traigo | to bring | Yo traigo libros. | I bring books. |
| conocer | conozco | to know (people/places) | Yo conozco a Juan. | I know Juan. |
| ver | veo | to see | Yo veo la televisión. | I watch TV. |
Irregular Verbs in Preterite
The preterite (simple past) tense has a group of irregular verbs with unique stems and endings. They do not have accents.
Common Irregular Preterite Verbs
| Verb | Stem | Yo Form | Meaning | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ser/ir | fui | fui | was/went | Yo fui al parque. | I went to the park. |
| tener | tuv | tuve | had | Tuve una reunión. | I had a meeting. |
| estar | estuv | estuve | was | Estuve en casa. | I was at home. |
| poder | pud | pude | was able | Pude terminar. | I was able to finish. |
| hacer | hic | hice | did/made | Hice la tarea. | I did the homework. |
| decir | dij | dije | said | Dije la verdad. | I told the truth. |
Irregular Past Participles
Some past participles (used in perfect tenses) are irregular.
Common Irregular Past Participles
| Verb | Past Participle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hacer | hecho | done/made |
| abrir | abierto | opened |
| escribir | escrito | written |
| ver | visto | seen |
| poner | puesto | put |
| volver | vuelto | returned |
| romper | roto | broken |
| morir | muerto | died |
Summary
Irregular verbs don’t follow one fixed rule — they change in different tenses and forms. The best approach is to learn the most common irregular verbs and their patterns.
- Stem-changing verbs affect the stem vowel in all but nosotros and vosotros.
- Some verbs have irregular yo forms only in the present tense.
- The preterite has several irregular verbs with unique stems and endings.
- A few past participles are irregular and must be memorized.
Keep practicing and you’ll become more confident with irregular verbs over time!
Flashcards (1 of 21)
- Pronoun: yo
- English Example: I close the door
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
