Spoken Description

Aprende a comparar verbos en español: tiempos, modos y conjugaciones, diferencias entre verbos regulares e irregulares, y usos comunes para hablar con precisión.

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Learn to compare verbs in Spanish: tenses, moods, and conjugations, differences between regular and irregular verbs, and common uses for speaking with precision.

Verbs show actions, events, and states, so they are crucial for making sentences. This guide covers the main types and important examples.

Types

Verbs fall into categories based on meaning and grammar: action, state, and auxiliary. Each type plays a different role in sentences.

Los verbos se clasifican en categorías según su significado y gramática: acción, estado y auxiliar. Cada tipo cumple un papel diferente en las oraciones.

Regular

Regular verbs follow predictable patterns in each tense, so you can apply the same endings once you learn the rules. Examples use the present tense.

-ar Verbs

-ar verbs are the most common and set the pattern for many learners. They end in -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an in the present.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
hablarto talk
enseñarto teach
caminarto walk

Los verbos terminados en -ar son los más comunes y establecen el patrón para muchos aprendices. Terminados en -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an en el presente.

Nosotros(caminar) por el parque cada tarde.

We walk through the park every afternoon.

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-er Verbs

-er verbs follow a similar pattern with endings like -o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en in the present. They include common everyday actions.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
comerto eat
beberto drink
aprenderto learn

Los verbos terminados en -er siguen un patrón similar con terminaciones como -o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en en el presente. Incluyen acciones cotidianas comunes.

Él(aprender) alemán en una escuela cerca de casa.

He learns German at a school near home.

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-ir Verbs

-ir verbs are very similar to -er verbs but have slight differences in some tenses. Present endings are -o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
vivirto live
escribirto write
recibirto receive

Los verbos terminados en -ir son muy parecidos a los -er, pero tienen pequeñas diferencias en algunos tiempos. Las terminaciones en presente son -o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en.

Yo(vivir) en un apartamento en el centro.

I live in an apartment downtown.

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Los verbos regulares siguen patrones predecibles en cada tiempo, así que puedes aplicar las mismas terminaciones una vez que aprendes las reglas. Los ejemplos usan el presente.

Yo(hablar) con mi amiga por teléfono.

I speak with my friend on the phone.

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Important

Some verbs are so common that it's worth learning them early, including irregular forms and useful expressions.

ser (to be)

Ser marks identity, origin, time, and more. It is irregular in the present and used for lasting qualities.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
soyI am
eresyou are
eshe/she/it is
somoswe are
soisyou all are
sonthey are

Ser indica identidad, origen, tiempo y más. Es irregular en el presente y se usa para cualidades duraderas.

(ser) mi mejor amigo desde la infancia.

You are my best friend since childhood.

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estar (to be)

Estar shows temporary states, locations, and ongoing actions. It is irregular in the present and often used with conditions and feelings.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
estoyI am
estásyou are
estáhe/she/it is
estamoswe are
estáisyou all are
estánthey are

Estar muestra estados temporales, ubicaciones y acciones en curso. Es irregular en el presente y se usa frecuentemente con condiciones y sentimientos.

Yo(estar) cansado después de trabajar.

I am tired after working.

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tener (to have)

Tener expresses possession, age, and many common idioms. It is irregular in the present and used in set phrases like tener que (to have to).

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
tengoI have
tienesyou have
tienehe/she/it has
tenemoswe have
tenéisyou all have
tienenthey have

Tener expresa posesión, edad y muchas expresiones idiomáticas comunes. Es irregular en el presente y se usa en frases hechas como tener que (tener que).

Yo(tener) veinte años este mes.

I am twenty years old this month.

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ir (to go)

Ir shows movement and is used in many periphrastic tenses. It is irregular in the present and often followed by a plus an infinitive or place.

Spanish Word(s)English Translation(s)
voyI go
vasyou go
vahe/she/it goes
vamoswe go
vaisyou all go
vanthey go

Ir indica movimiento y se usa en muchos tiempos perifrásticos. Es irregular en el presente y a menudo va seguido de a más un infinitivo o lugar.

Yo(ir) al colegio todos los días.

I go to school every day.

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Algunos verbos son tan comunes que vale la pena aprenderlos temprano, incluyendo formas irregulares y expresiones útiles.

Summary

Verbs tell what happens, so start by learning key regular endings and the most useful irregular verbs like ser, estar, tener, and ir. Practice them in short sentences to build confidence.

Los verbos dicen qué pasa, así que empieza aprendiendo las terminaciones regulares clave y los verbos irregulares más útiles como ser, estar, tener y ir. Practícalos en oraciones cortas para ganar confianza.

⏹️Acabar vs Terminar – To Finish
📍Aquí vs Allí vs Ahí – Here vs There vs Over There
👍Bueno vs Bien – Good vs Well
🔁Continuar vs Seguir – To Continue
😴Dormir vs Acostarse – Sleep vs Go to Bed
😴Dormir vs Dormirse – To Sleep
🤝Encontrar vs Encontrarse – To Find vs To Meet
👂Escuchar vs Oír – To Listen vs To Hear
🏰Grande vs Gran – Big vs Great
❤️Gustar vs Encantar – Like vs Love
📦Haber vs Tener – Have (helping) vs Have (own)
🛠️Hacer vs Realizar – To Do vs Make
🏋️‍♂️Levantar vs Levantarse – To Lift vs Get Up
🚶Llegar vs Venir – Arrive vs Come
🚶Llegar vs Venir – To Arrive vs Come
👜Llevar vs Traer – To Carry vs Bring
👀Mirar vs Ver – Look vs See
⚡Mucho vs Muy – Much vs Very

🧮Nouns

❓Pedir vs Preguntar – Ask for vs Ask
🙋Pedir vs Preguntar – To Ask
🤔Pensar vs Creer – Think vs Believe
🤔Pensar vs Creer – To Think vs Believe
🚫Perder vs Perderse – To Lose vs Get Lost
🔄Por vs Para – For vs For vs To
❓Porque vs Por qué vs Porqué vs Por que – Because vs Why
❤️Querer vs Amar – To Love
🧠Recordar vs Acordarse – To Remember
🧠Saber vs Conocer – Know (facts) vs Know (people vs things)
🤓Saber vs Conocer – To Know
🧠Saber vs Entender – To Know vs Understand
🚪Salir vs Irse – Go Out vs Leave
🥺Sentir vs Sentirse – To Feel
🧍Ser vs Estar – To Be (permanent) vs To Be (temporary)
🛍️Tomar vs Llevar – To Take
👜Traer vs Llevar – Bring vs Take
♻️Volver vs Devolver – To Return
🔄Volver vs Regresar – Return vs Come Back

Suggested Reading

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Eric W. Vogt & My Daily Spanish

The Everything Learning Spanish Book

The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal

Spanish All-In-One For Dummies

Spanish All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs

Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg

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