A1 Spanish GrammarCommon Verbs (ser, estar, tener, ir)
Master the four most essential irregular verbs in Spanish: ser (to be - permanent), estar (to be - temporary), tener (to have), and ir (to go). These verbs are used constantly.
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1Ser (To Be - Permanent/Essential)
Ser is used for permanent characteristics, identity, origin, time, and professions. It's completely irregular. Remember: ser for what something IS by nature or definition.
Ser Conjugation
| Person | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | soy | Soy estudiante |
| tú | eres | Eres alto |
| él/ella/usted | es | Es profesora |
| nosotros | somos | Somos amigos |
| vosotros | sois | Sois españoles |
| ellos/ustedes | son | Son las dos |
Examples
Soy de España.
I'm from Spain.
origin = ser
Ella es médica.
She is a doctor.
profession = ser
¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?
time = ser
El libro es interesante.
The book is interesting.
characteristic = ser
2Estar (To Be - Temporary/Location)
Estar is used for temporary states, emotions, locations, and conditions. It's irregular only in the yo form. Remember: estar for how something IS at a particular moment or where it's located.
Estar Conjugation
| Person | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | estoy | Estoy bien |
| tú | estás | Estás cansado |
| él/ella/usted | está | Está en casa |
| nosotros | estamos | Estamos contentos |
| vosotros | estáis | Estáis ocupados |
| ellos/ustedes | están | Están aquí |
Examples
¿Cómo estás?
How are you?
temporary state = estar
Estoy en el trabajo.
I'm at work.
location = estar
La sopa está caliente.
The soup is hot.
condition = estar
Estamos cansados hoy.
We're tired today.
temporary feeling = estar
3Tener (To Have)
Tener means 'to have' but is also used for age, obligations (tener que), and many expressions where English uses 'to be' (hungry, cold, afraid). Very irregular in the yo form.
Tener Conjugation
| Person | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | tengo | Tengo un perro |
| tú | tienes | Tienes razón |
| él/ella/usted | tiene | Tiene 20 años |
| nosotros | tenemos | Tenemos hambre |
| vosotros | tenéis | Tenéis suerte |
| ellos/ustedes | tienen | Tienen sed |
Examples
Tengo 25 años.
I am 25 years old.
age uses tener
Tengo hambre.
I'm hungry.
tener hambre = to be hungry
Tenemos que estudiar.
We have to study.
tener que = have to
¿Tienes frío?
Are you cold?
tener frío = to be cold
4Ir (To Go)
Ir means 'to go' and is completely irregular. It's used with a to indicate destination. Ir + a + infinitive expresses future plans ('going to do something').
Ir Conjugation
| Person | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | voy | Voy al cine |
| tú | vas | Vas a casa |
| él/ella/usted | va | Va al trabajo |
| nosotros | vamos | Vamos a comer |
| vosotros | vais | Vais a España |
| ellos/ustedes | van | Van de vacaciones |
Examples
Voy a la escuela.
I go to school.
ir + a + place
Vamos a comer pizza.
We're going to eat pizza.
ir + a + infinitive = future
¿Adónde vas?
Where are you going?
adónde = to where
Van al supermercado.
They go to the supermarket.
a + el = al
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
Complete: 'Yo ___ de México.' (I am from Mexico.)
Complete: 'Yo ___ cansado hoy.' (I am tired today.)
Complete: 'Yo ___ 25 años.' (I am 25 years old.)
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