Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs help form different tenses, moods, and voices by combining with main verbs. This guide focuses on the key auxiliaries you need for Spanish.
Haber
Haber is the primary auxiliary for perfect tenses. It appears in forms like he, has, ha, hemos, han followed by a past participle.
Forms of Haber
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| he | I have |
| has | you have |
| ha | he/she/it has |
| hemos | we have |
| habéis | you all have |
| han | they have |
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🌅 He salido temprano. | I have left early. |
| ☀️ Habías preparado todo. | You had prepared everything. |
| 🌇 Haremos lo que has dicho. | We will do what you have said. |
| 🌙 Habían cerrado antes de llegar. | They had closed before arriving. |
Usage
Use haber plus a past participle to form the present perfect, pluperfect, and other perfect tenses. This structure shows completed actions relative to different times.
Estar
Estar is an auxiliary for progressive tenses when paired with a gerund (‑ando, ‑iendo). It shows actions in progress at a specific moment.
Forms of Estar
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| estoy | I am |
| estás | you are |
| está | he/she/it is |
| estamos | we are |
| estáis | you all are |
| están | they are |
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Estoy limpiando la casa. | I am cleaning the house. |
| 🧹 Estás barriendo la terraza. | You are sweeping the terrace. |
| 🪣 Está fregando los platos. | He/She is washing the dishes. |
| 🪴 Estamos regando las plantas. | We are watering the plants. |
| 📦 Están ordenando el garaje. | They are tidying the garage. |
Usage
Use estar plus a gerund to describe ongoing actions. This construction emphasizes the action happening right now or around a particular time.
Tener
Tener can function as an auxiliary in expressions that use que plus an infinitive to show necessity. It is more about obligation than forming tense.
Forms of Tener
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| tengo | I have |
| tienes | you have |
| tiene | he/she/it has |
| tenemos | we have |
| tenéis | you all have |
| tienen | they have |
Usage
Use tener que plus an infinitive to express required actions. This formula highlights duty or necessity rather than time.
Forms de Tener
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 📝 Tengo que hacer la lista. | I have to make the list. |
| 📬 Tienes que revisar el correo. | You have to check the mail. |
| 🧴 Tiene que comprar detergente. | He/She has to buy detergent. |
| 🗒️ Tenemos que planificar la semana. | We have to plan the week. |
| 🕑 Tienen que limpiar antes de las visitas. | They have to clean before guests. |
Dejar
Dejar sometimes acts like an auxiliary in constructions with an infinitive or gerund, and can signal permission or continuation. It is less grammatical and more contextual.
Forms of Dejar
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| dejo | I leave / I let |
| dejas | you leave / you let |
| deja | he/she/it leaves / lets |
| dejamos | we leave / we let |
| dejáis | you all leave / you all let |
| dejan | they leave / they let |
Usage
Use dejar plus an infinitive to indicate permission (dejar hacer) or with a gerund to suggest ongoing action that is allowed or maintained. Context determines meaning.
Forms de Dejar
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🔑 Dejé las llaves en la cocina. | I left the keys in the kitchen. |
| 🪣 Dejaste el balde en el patio. | You left the bucket in the yard. |
| 🕯️ Dejó la luz encendida. | He/She left the light on. |
| 🛋️ Dejamos el sofá cubierto. | We left the sofa covered. |
| 🚪 Dejaron la puerta abierta. | They left the door open. |
Summary
Auxiliary verbs like haber, estar, and tener structure time, aspect, and necessity. Learn their key forms and how they pair with participles, gerunds, and infinitives to unlock Spanish grammar.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025