¡Hola y bienvenidos, dulcitos!
While learning Spanish, I’m sure you’ve come across numerous verbs and their conjugations. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of learning this language, as there are 16 distinct conjugations per verb. Today we are starting off very simple! I have compiled a list of the verbs that I have used most often in my first year of Spanish. Many of them are the most commonly used verbs in general, but some of them are especially helpful for a beginner. I have provided the present tense conjugation of each (minus “vosotros” used in Spain), and some helpful examples. If you’re ready to dive into all of the Spanish verbs, Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs is an incredible resource that has truly helped me understand how each conjugation is used!
Vamos!
Aprender – to learn
| Yo aprendo – I learn Tú aprendes – You learn Él/Ella/Usted aprende – He/She/You learn(s) Nosotros aprendemos – We learn Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes aprenden – They learn |
A helpful phrase: Estoy aprendiendo español – I am learning Spanish
Beber – to drink
| Yo bebo – I drink Tú bebes – You drink Él/Ella/Usted bebe – He/She/You drink(s) Nosotros bebemos – We drink Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes beben – They drink |
A helpful phrase: Beber a la salud – to drink to health
Comer – to eat
| Yo como – I eat Tú comes – You eat Él/Ella/Usted come – He/She/You eat(s) Nosotros comemos – We eat Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes comen – They eat |
A helpful phrase: Vamos a comer fuera esta noche – Let’s eat out tonight
Decir – to say, to tell
| Yo digo – I say Tú dices – You say Él/Ella/Usted dice – He/She/You say(s) Nosotros decimos – We say Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes dicen – They say |
A helpful phrase: ¿Cómo se dice…? – How do you say...?
Estar – to be
| Yo estoy – I am Tú estás – You are Él/Ella/Usted está – He/She/You is Nosotros estamos – We are Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes están – They are |
A helpful phrase: ¿Cómo está usted? – How are you?
Hablar – to talk, to speak
| Yo hablo – I speak Tú hablas – You speak Él/Ella/Usted habla – He/She/You speak(s) Nosotros hablamos – We speak Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes hablan – They speak |
A helpful phrase: ¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
Hacer – to do, to make
| Yo hago – I do Tú haces – You do Él/Ella/Usted hace – He/She/You do(es) Nosotros hacemos – We do Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes hacen – They do |
A helpful phrase: Hace buen tiempo hoy – The weather is good today
Ir – to go
| Yo voy – I go Tú vas – You go Él/Ella/Usted va – He/She/You go(es) Nosotros vamos – We go Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van – They go |
A helpful phrase: ¡Vámonos! – Let’s go!
Llamar – to call, to name
| Yo llamo – I call Tú llamas – You call Él/Ella/Usted llama – He/She/You call(s) Nosotros llamamos – We call Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes llaman – They call |
A helpful phrase: Me llamo… – My name is…
Necesitar – to need
| Yo necesito – I need Tú necesitas – You need Él/Ella/Usted necesita – He/She/You need(s) Nosotros necesitamos – We need Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes necesitan – They need |
A helpful phrase: Necesito ir a la ciudad – I need to go to the city
Pensar – to think
| Yo pienso – I think Tú piensas – You think Él/Ella/Usted piensa – He/She/You think(s) Nosotros pensamos – We think Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes piensan – They think |
A helpful phrase: ¿Qué piensas de eso? – What do you think of that?
Poder – to be able to, can
| Yo puedo – I can Tú puedes – You can Él/Ella/Usted puede – He/She/You can Nosotros podemos – We can Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes pueden – They can |
A helpful phrase: ¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?
Querer – to want, to wish
| Yo quiero – I want Tú quieres – You want Él/Ella/Usted quiere – He/She/You want(s) Nosotros queremos – We want Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes quieren – They want |
A helpful phrase: Te quiero – I love you
Saber – to know, to know how
| Yo sé – I know Tú sabes – You know Él/Ella/Usted sabe – He/She/You know(s) Nosotros sabemos – We know Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes saben – They know |
A helpful phrase: No sé – I don’t know
Sentir – to feel, to feel sorry, to regret
| Yo siento – I feel Tú sientes – You feel Él/Ella/Usted siente – He/She/You feel(s) Nosotros sentimos – We feel Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sienten – They feel |
A helpful phrase: Lo siento mucho – I’m very sorry
Ser – to be
| Yo soy – I am Tú eres – You are Él/Ella/Usted es – He/She/You is/are Nosotros somos – We are Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes son – They are |
A helpful phrase: ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
Tener – to have, to hold
| Yo tengo – I have Tú tienes – You have Él/Ella/Usted tiene – He/She/You has/have Nosotros tenemos – We have Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tienen – They have |
A helpful phrase: Tengo veinte años – I am twenty years old (literally: I have twenty years)
Tomar – to take, to have (to drink or eat something)
| Yo tomo – I take Tú tomas – You take Él/Ella/Usted toma – He/She/You take(s) Nosotros tomamos – We take Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes toman – They take |
A helpful phrase: ¿A qué hora tomas la cena? – What time do you have dinner?
Venir – to come
| Yo vengo – I come Tú vienes – You come Él/Ella/Usted viene – He/She/You come(s) Nosotros venimos – We come Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes vienen – They come |
A helpful phrase: ¡Venga! – Come on!
Vivir – to live
| Yo vivo – I live Tú vives – You live Él/Ella/Usted vive – He/She/You live(s) Nosotros vivimos – We live Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes viven – They live |
A helpful phrase: Yo vivo en la Estados Unidos – I live in the United States
And there you have it! You can start using these present-tense verbs now! Let me know in the comments if you have found any other verbs particularly helpful in your Spanish journey.
¡Feliz aprendizaje!
Em
Love this list! Very helpful. Thanks for the tips, I love your blog.