Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs break the usual patterns, so they must be learned individually. This guide focuses on high-impact irregulars in crucial contexts like the preterite.
ir / ser (to go / to be)
The verbs ir and ser share an irregular preterite form. Context determines which meaning applies.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| fui | I went / I was |
| fuiste | you went / you were |
| fue | he/she/it went / was |
| fuimos | we went / we were |
| fuisteis | you (pl) went / were |
| fueron | they went / they were |
hacer (to do, to make)
Hacer is irregular in the preterite and commonly appears in narrations of completed actions. Use it for activities and creations.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| hice | I did / I made |
| hiciste | you did / you made |
| hizo | he/she/it did / made |
| hicimos | we did / we made |
| hicisteis | you (pl) did / made |
| hicieron | they did / they made |
tener (to have)
Tener appears in both preterite and other past forms, often signaling possession, reception, or experiences. Its irregular preterite forms are essential for storytelling.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| tuve | I had |
| tuviste | you had |
| tuvo | he/she/it had |
| tuvimos | we had |
| tuvisteis | you (pl) had |
| tuvieron | they had |
venir (to come)
Venir is irregular in the preterite and useful for describing arrivals and events. Its stem appears in anecdotes and reports of past occasions.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| vine | I came |
| viniste | you came |
| vino | he/she/it came |
| vinimos | we came |
| vinisteis | you (pl) came |
| vinieron | they came |
decir (to say, to tell)
Decir has an irregular preterite stem and appears frequently in accounts, speeches, and reports. Use it to convey what someone expressed in the past.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| dije | I said |
| dijiste | you said |
| dijo | he/she/it said |
| dijimos | we said |
| dijisteis | you (pl) said |
| dijeron | they said |
traer (to bring)
Traer is irregular in the preterite and fits narrations about past movements of people or things. Its stem form is common in market and travel stories.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| traje | I brought |
| trajiste | you brought |
| trajo | he/she/it brought |
| trajimos | we brought |
| trajisteis | you (pl) brought |
| trajeron | they brought |
Signal Words
Signal words often appear with the preterite and help identify when to use these irregular forms. They frame completed actions within specific time references.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| ayer | yesterday |
| anteayer | the day before yesterday |
| una vez | once / one time |
| el año pasado | last year |
| hace dos días | two days ago |
Summary
Irregular verbs like ir, ser, hacer, tener, venir, decir and traer are key to telling vivid stories about the past. Learn their preterite forms to narrate completed actions smoothly. Signal words guide you in choosing the preterite for memorable events.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025