Llegar means "to arrive" and focuses on reaching a destination, while venir means "to come" and implies movement toward the speaker or a specific place. Use llegar for the act of arriving anywhere, and venir when the movement is toward the speaker's location.
Usage of Llegar
Llegar describes the act of arriving at a place. It emphasizes the endpoint of a journey or movement, without indicating where the speaker is.
- Llegar + a + [place]: Indicates the destination (e.g., llegar a casa).
- Can refer to arriving by any mode of transportation or by walking.
- Common in contexts like schedules, appointments, and travel.
Examples of Llegar
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Llegué tarde al trabajo. | I arrived late to work. |
| ¿A qué hora llegan los invitados? | What time do the guests arrive? |
| Ella llegó en tren. | She arrived by train. |
Key Point
Use llegar when focusing on the act of reaching or arriving at a destination, regardless of the speaker's location.
When is it appropriate to use the verb venir instead of llegar?
When emphasizing movement toward the speaker or a specific location.
Venir focuses on approaching the speaker or a point close to the conversation, highlighting the direction of movement.
Usage of Venir
Venir means "to come" and implies movement toward the speaker or the location of the conversation. It focuses on the direction of movement rather than just the act of arriving.
- Venir + de + [place]: Indicates coming from a place (e.g., venir de la oficina).
- Used when the speaker or listener is at the destination or when movement is toward them.
- Common in invitations, social contexts, and when coordinating meeting points.
Examples of Venir
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| ¿Vienes a la fiesta esta noche? | Are you coming to the party tonight? |
| Vengo del supermercado. | I’m coming from the supermarket. |
| Ven aquí un momento. | Come here for a moment. |
Key Point
Use venir to highlight movement toward a specific location, usually where the speaker is or will be.
When is it appropriate to use the verb venir instead of llegar?
When emphasizing movement toward the speaker or a specific location.
Venir focuses on approaching the speaker or a point close to the conversation, highlighting the direction of movement.
Choosing Between Llegar and Venir
The main difference is perspective: llegar is about arrival at a destination, while venir is about approach toward a point (usually where the speaker is).
- If the sentence focuses on the destination or time of arrival, use llegar.
- If the sentence emphasizes movement toward the speaker or a shared location, use venir.
- Context and prepositions (a, de, hacia) help determine which verb is appropriate.
Comparison in Context
| Situation | Spanish Sentences | English Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about arrival time | Llegué a casa a las 8. | I arrived home at 8. |
| Indicating movement toward the speaker | Ven a casa a las 8. | Come to the house at 8. |
| Asking about guests arriving | ¿A qué hora llegan los invitados? | What time do the guests arrive? |
| Inviting someone to come over | ¿Vienes a la casa de María? | Are you coming to María’s house? |
Pro Tip
When in doubt, ask: "Is the focus on arrival or on moving toward someone?" This question often clarifies whether to use llegar or venir.
Summary
Llegar focuses on the point of arrival and is used with the preposition a to specify destinations. Venir focuses on movement toward the speaker or a shared location and is often used with de (coming from) or without prepositions when the direction is clear. Understanding the speaker’s perspective and the context will help you choose the correct verb.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Example: I arrived late to work.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
