for English speakers · 5 grammar rules · 15 words · 10 example sentences
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Regular verbs follow predictable endings in the present tense (presente de indicativo).
| Pronoun | -ar (hablar) | -er (comer) | -ir (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablo | como | vivo |
| tú | hablas | comes | vives |
| él/ella | habla | come | vive |
| nosotros | hablamos | comemos | vivimos |
| vosotros | habláis | coméis | vivís |
| ellos/ellas | hablan | comen | viven |
Use the present tense to describe habits, current states, and general truths.
Spanish has two verbs for 'to be':
ser — used for permanent or defining characteristics: identity, nationality, profession, time, origin.
estar — used for temporary states, feelings, locations, and ongoing actions.
A helpful tip: if you can imagine it changing soon, use estar.
Every Spanish noun has a grammatical gender — masculine or feminine.
Useful patterns:
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.
To talk about plans or what is going to happen, use the structure:
ir (conjugated) + a + infinitive
| Pronoun | ir | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | voy | Voy a comer. (I am going to eat.) |
| tú | vas | Vas a estudiar. (You are going to study.) |
| él/ella | va | Va a llover. (It is going to rain.) |
| nosotros | vamos | Vamos a salir. (We are going to go out.) |
| ellos | van | Van a llegar tarde. (They are going to arrive late.) |
This is one of the most common ways to express the future in everyday Spanish.
Direct object pronouns replace the noun that receives the action of the verb. They are placed before the conjugated verb.
| Person | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me (1st sg.) | me | Me llaman Ana. (They call me Ana.) |
| you (2nd sg.) | te | Te veo mañana. (I'll see you tomorrow.) |
| him / it (m) | lo | Lo tengo. (I have it.) |
| her / it (f) | la | La conozco. (I know her.) |
| us | nos | Nos ayuda mucho. (It helps us a lot.) |
| them (m) | los | Los compro. (I buy them.) |
| them (f) | las | Las leo. (I read them.) |
When used with an infinitive, the pronoun can also be attached to the end: Quiero verlo. (I want to see it.)
| Spanish | English | Part of speech |
|---|---|---|
| el desayunom | breakfast | noun |
| la tiendaf | shop / store | noun |
| el transportem | transport / transportation | noun |
| la semanaf | week | noun |
| el tiempom | weather / time | noun |
| necesitar | to need | verb |
| querer | to want / to love | verb |
| poder | to be able to / can | verb |
| siempre | always | adverb |
| bastante | quite / enough / rather | adverb |
| cerca de | near / close to | phrase |
| a veces | sometimes | phrase |
| el trabajom | work / job | noun |
| cansado | tired | adjective |
| el fin de semanam | weekend | noun |
Todos los días desayuno un café y una tostada en casa.
Every day I have a coffee and a piece of toast for breakfast at home.
Mi hermana trabaja cerca del centro de la ciudad.
My sister works near the city center.
Esta semana estoy muy cansado porque tengo mucho trabajo.
This week I am very tired because I have a lot of work.
¿Puedes hablar más despacio, por favor? No entiendo bien.
Can you speak more slowly, please? I don't understand well.
El sábado vamos a visitar a nuestros amigos en el parque.
On Saturday we are going to visit our friends in the park.
A veces como en un restaurante cerca de mi oficina.
Sometimes I eat at a restaurant near my office.
¿Dónde está la tienda de ropa? Necesito comprar una chaqueta nueva.
Where is the clothes shop? I need to buy a new jacket.
Siempre escucho música cuando viajo en el transporte público.
I always listen to music when I travel on public transport.
El tiempo está bastante malo hoy; creo que va a llover.
The weather is quite bad today; I think it is going to rain.
Los fines de semana quiero descansar y no pensar en el trabajo.
On weekends I want to rest and not think about work.
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