Gramática: El verbo ir

Objetivos

  • Recognize the correct conjugations of the verb ir

Like the verb ser, the conjugation of ir in the present tense is irregular:

ir (to go)

Singular Plural
Play Audioyo voy Play Audionosotros vamos
Play Audiovas Play Audiovosotros vais
Play Audioél / ella / usted va Play Audioellos / ellas / ustedes van
Sign reading "¡Vamos rojillos!"

A sign in support of the Osasuna soccer team from Pamplona, Navarre. Because they originally wore red jerseys, they got the nickname “Los Rojillos.”

 

The verb ir is used to express destinations and will need a preposition to follow it.  Add the preposition a after ir to indicate your destination (where you’re going to).

  • Play AudioNo voy a la fiesta esta noche porque hay un examen mañana. (I’m not going to the party tonight, because there’s a test tomorrow.)
  • Play AudioEllos van al gimnasio todos los días. (They go to the gym every day.)
The emblem of a Chevy Nova car

The story goes (though it’s probably not true) that this Chevy model didn’t sell well in Mexico. Can you imagine why? (Hint: How do you say in Spanish “The car doesn’t go”?)

Contracciones

There are only two contractions in the whole Spanish language, and they’re frequently used with ir and other verbs of motion.

A + el = al (to the)
De + el = del (from the)

Be careful, the prepositions a and de only contract with the masculine singular definite article; if you need the feminine or plural form of “the”, it will remain a separate word.

  • Play AudioVamos al parque con el perro. (We go to the park with the dog.)
  • Play AudioVamos a los negocios locales. (We go to the local businesses.)
  • Play AudioLos científicos llegan del Instituto de Salud Pública. (The scientists come from the Institute of Public Health.)
  • Play AudioLos maestros llegan de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. (The teachers come from the Complutense University of Madrid.)