Whenever I get a new brain to teach Spanish, the first thing I give them on day one is a list of 31 common Spanish Verbs. This is not just a list of Spanish verbs but a mini guide which helps them boost their confidence.
How? They simply read these most common Spanish verbs and learn how to use them. And that’s how almost 80% of my student speak or at least try speaking Spanish from their first week. We at Spanish Express provide online spanish classes to help students get fluent in Spanish and this list is what we’re paid for.
But today, I am going to share it for free and on top of that, I am giving you a chance to reach out to me to get your queries answered regarding your Spanish journey. So, first, read this list of common Spanish verbs, practice them, and then contact me to get free individual help.
Essentials of Spanish Verb Conjugation
Firstly, you need to grasp that Spanish verbs are divided into three types: -ar, -er, and -ir. Remember these with verbs like “hablar” (to speak), “comer” (to eat), and “vivir” (to live). These endings are your first clue to successful conjugation in the Spanish language.
Master Regular Verb Conjugation
With regular verbs, you’re in luck because they follow a predictable pattern. This is what we call regular conjugation. For example, in the present tense, “hablar” transforms to “hablo” (I speak), “hablas” (you speak), and “habla” (he/she speaks). The verb ending changes consistently across different forms, making learning Spanish verbs simpler.
Navigate Irregular Verb Conjugations
Now, watch out for the tricksters of Spanish verbs: the irregulars. Verbs like “ser” (to be), which becomes “yo soy” (I am), and “tener” (to have), which changes to “tengo” (I have), break the usual rules. These irregular verbs in their conjugated forms are exceptions you’ll have to memorize.
Conjugation Across Different Tenses
Expanding your verb tense knowledge is crucial. Whether it’s present tense conjugations or different tenses, each has its pattern. “Hablar” in the past tense becomes “hablé” (I spoke), and in the future tense, it evolves to “hablaré” (I will speak). Pay close attention to these changes, especially in the third-person singular and plural forms.
The World of Reflexive Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
Encounter verbs like “lavarse” (to wash oneself)? They’re reflexive and reflect the action back on the subject, as in “me lavo” (I wash myself). Similarly, auxiliary verbs like “haber” play a crucial role in forming compound tenses and participles in the Spanish language.
Practice Makes Perfect
Here’s where you practice with verbs in Spanish, like “escribir” (to write), “leer” (to read), and “correr” (to run). Incorporate phrases such as “por favor” in your exercises to enhance your speaking skills. Regular practice, attention to verb forms, and understanding the impersonal form will solidify your grasp of Spanish verbs. But stay alert for common errors, like mixing up verb endings. Your diligence will pave the way to fluency in speaking the Spanish language.
Also Read: 29 Learn Spanish Blog Options You Must Bookmark Today
31 Most Common Spanish Verbs for Everyday Conversations
So without further delay, here is my most favourite list of the common Spanish verbs to learn Spanish fast.
1. Tener – “To have”
Pronunciation: [teh-ner]
Synonym & Antonym: Poseer / Carecer
Common Phrase: “Tengo un coche” (I have a car).
Colloquial Use: “Tener suerte” (To be lucky).
Sentence: “Ella tiene tres libros” (She has three books).
2. Hablar – “To speak”
Pronunciation: [ah-blar]
Synonym & Antonym: Conversar / Callar
Common Phrase: “Hablo español” (I speak Spanish).
Colloquial Use: “Hablar por los codos” (To talk a lot).
Sentence: “Nosotros hablamos con María” (We talk to María).
3. Estar – “To be” (in a certain state or location)
Pronunciation: [es-tar]
Synonym & Antonym: Hallarse / Ausentarse
Common Phrase: “Estoy feliz” (I am happy).
Colloquial Use: “Estar en las nubes” (To be daydreaming).
Sentence: “Ellos están en la escuela” (They are at school).
4. Vivir – “To live”
Pronunciation: [vee-veer]
Synonym & Antonym: Residir / Morir
Common Phrase: “Vivo en Madrid” (I live in Madrid).
Colloquial Use: “Vivir a lo grande” (To live it up).
Sentence: “Ella vive cerca del parque” (She lives near the park).
5. Ser – “To be” (essential/permanent quality)
Pronunciation: [sehr]
Synonym & Antonym: Constituir / Cambiar
Common Phrase: “Soy estudiante” (I am a student).
Colloquial Use: “Ser pan comido” (To be a piece of cake).
Sentence: “Juan es profesor” (Juan is a teacher).
6. Comer – “To eat”
Pronunciation: [koh-mer]
Synonym & Antonym: Ingerir / Ayunar
Common Phrase: “Comemos a las 2” (We eat at 2).
Colloquial Use: “Comerse el coco” (To overthink).
Sentence: “Ella come paella” (She eats paella).
7. Ver – “To see”
Pronunciation: [vair]
Synonym & Antonym: Observar / Ignorar
Common Phrase: “Veo la televisión” (I watch TV).
Colloquial Use: “Ver para creer” (Seeing is believing).
Sentence: “Vemos el mar” (We see the sea).
8. Saber – “To know” (facts, information)
Pronunciation: [sah-ber]
Synonym & Antonym: Conocer / Desconocer
Common Phrase: “Sé tu nombre” (I know your name).
Colloquial Use: “Saberlo todo” (To know it all).
Sentence: “Ella sabe la verdad” (She knows the truth).
9. Escribir – “To write”
Pronunciation: [es-kree-beer]
Synonym & Antonym: Redactar / Borrar
Common Phrase: “Escribo correos” (I write emails).
Colloquial Use: “Escribir a mano” (To write by hand).
Sentence: “Él escribe una carta” (He writes a letter).
10. Deber – “Should” or “To owe”
Pronunciation: [deh-ber]
Synonym & Antonym: Tener que / Poder
Common Phrase: “Debes hacerlo” (You should do it).
Colloquial Use: “Deber de ser fácil” (It must be easy).
Sentence: “Debo dinero al banco” (I owe money to the bank).
11. Dar – “To give”
Pronunciation: [dar]
Synonym & Antonym: Entregar / Recibir
Common Phrase: “Doy gracias” (I give thanks).
Colloquial Use: “Dar en el clavo” (To hit the nail on the head).
Sentence: “Dame la mano” (Give me your hand).
12. Hacer – “To do, to make”
Pronunciation: [ah-ser]
Synonym & Antonym: Realizar / Deshacer
Common Phrase: “Hago mi tarea” (I do my homework).
Colloquial Use: “Hacerse tarde” (To become late).
Sentence: “Ella hace una tarta” (She makes a cake).
13. Ir – “To go”
Pronunciation: [eer]
Synonym & Antonym: Marchar / Quedarse
Common Phrase: “Voy al mercado” (I go to the market).
Colloquial Use: “Ir al grano” (To get to the point).
Sentence: “Nosotros vamos a la playa” (We go to the beach).
14. Decir – “To say, to tell”
Pronunciation: [deh-seer]
Synonym & Antonym: Afirmar / Callar
Common Phrase: “Digo la verdad” (I tell the truth).
Colloquial Use: “Decir a boca llena” (To say something confidently).
Sentence: “Él dice una mentira” (He tells a lie).
15. Querer – “To want, to love”
Pronunciation: [keh-rer]
Synonym & Antonym: Desear / Odiar
Common Phrase: “Quiero agua” (I want water).
Colloquial Use: “Querer es poder” (Where there’s a will, there’s a way).
Sentence: “Ella quiere a su familia” (She loves her family).
Also Read: 300+ Most Popular Spanish Idioms to Talk Like a Native Speaker
16. Llegar – “To arrive”
Pronunciation: [yeh-gar]
Synonym & Antonym: Venir / Partir
Common Phrase: “Llego tarde” (I arrive late).
Colloquial Use: “Llegar a las manos” (To come to blows).
Sentence: “El tren llega a las seis” (The train arrives at six).
17. Pasar – “To pass, to happen”
Pronunciation: [pa-sar]
Synonym & Antonym: Atravesar / Detenerse
Common Phrase: “Pasa el balón” (Pass the ball).
Colloquial Use: “Dejar pasar” (To let go).
Sentence: “Algo extraño pasó” (Something strange happened).
18. Poner – “To put, to place”
Pronunciation: [po-ner]
Synonym & Antonym: Colocar / Quitar
Common Phrase: “Pongo la mesa” (I set the table).
Colloquial Use: “Ponerse en marcha” (To get going).
Sentence: “Él pone su mochila en la silla” (He puts his backpack on the chair).
19. Parecer – “To seem, to appear”
Pronunciation: [pa-re-ser]
Synonym & Antonym: Lucir / Diferir
Common Phrase: “Pareces cansado” (You seem tired).
Colloquial Use: “Parecer un sueño” (To seem like a dream).
Sentence: “Ella parece feliz hoy” (She seems happy today).
20. Quedar – “To remain, to stay”
Pronunciation: [keh-dar]
Synonym & Antonym: Permanecer / Irse
Common Phrase: “Quedamos en la cafetería” (Meet me at the cafe).
Colloquial Use: “Quedar bien con alguien” (Make a good impression on someone).
Sentence: “Quedamos en el hotel” (Meet me at the hotel).
21. Creer – “To believe”
Pronunciation: [kre-er]
Synonym & Antonym: Confiar / Dudar
Common Phrase: “Creo en ti” (I believe in you).
Colloquial Use: “Creerse algo” (To believe something).
Sentence: “Ella cree que será un buen día” (She believes it will be a good day).
22. Llevar – “To carry, to wear”
Pronunciation: [yeh-var]
Synonym & Antonym: Transportar / Dejar
Common Phrase: “Llevo una mochila” (I carry a backpack).
Colloquial Use: “Llevar la delantera” (To be ahead).
Sentence: “Él lleva gafas” (He wears glasses).
23. Dejar – “To leave, to let”
Pronunciation: [deh-har]
Synonym & Antonym: Abandonar / Tomar
Common Phrase: “Deja el libro aquí” (Leave the book here).
Colloquial Use: “Dejar plantado” (To stand someone up).
Sentence: “Ella deja a su perro en casa” (She leaves her dog at home).
24. Seguir – “To follow, to continue”
Pronunciation: [seh-geer]
Synonym & Antonym: Proseguir / Parar
Common Phrase: “Sigo el camino” (I follow the path).
Colloquial Use: “Seguir adelante” (To move forward).
Sentence: “Nosotros seguimos estudiando” (We continue studying).
25. Encontrar – “To find”
Pronunciation: [en-kon-trar]
Synonym & Antonym: Hallar / Perder
Common Phrase: “Encontré mis llaves” (I found my keys).
Colloquial Use: “Encontrar su media naranja” (To find one’s soulmate).
Sentence: “Ella encontró su móvil” (She found her mobile).
26. Llamar – “To call”
Pronunciation: [yah-mar]
Synonym & Antonym: Convocar / Ignorar
Common Phrase: “Llamo a mi madre” (I call my mother).
Colloquial Use: “Llamar la atención” (To attract attention).
Sentence: “Él llama al doctor” (He calls the doctor).
27. Venir – “To come”
Pronunciation: [veh-neer]
Synonym & Antonym: Acercarse / Alejarse
Common Phrase: “Vengo de España” (I come from Spain).
Colloquial Use: “Venir de perlas” (To come in handy).
Sentence: “Nosotros venimos a la fiesta” (We come to the party).
28. Pensar – “To think”
Pronunciation: [pen-sar]
Synonym & Antonym: Reflexionar / Ignorar
Common Phrase: “Pienso, luego existo” (I think, therefore I am).
Colloquial Use: “Pensar en voz alta” (To think out loud).
Sentence: “Ella piensa en su futuro” (She thinks about her future).
29. Salir – “To leave, to go out”
Pronunciation: [sa-leer]
Synonym & Antonym: Partir / Entrar
Common Phrase: “Salgo con amigos” (I go out with friends).
Colloquial Use: “Salir de fiesta” (To go partying).
Sentence: “Él sale de casa justo ahora” (He leaves home right now).
30. Volver – “To return, to come back”
Pronunciation: [vol-ver]
Synonym & Antonym: Regresar / Marcharse
Common Phrase: “Vuelvo a casa” (I return home).
Colloquial Use: “Volver a las andadas” (To return to old habits).
Sentence: “Nosotros volvemos al trabajo” (We return to work).
31. Sentir – “To feel, to regret”
Pronunciation: [sen-teer]
Synonym & Antonym: Experimentar / Ignorar
Common Phrase: “Siento frío” (I feel cold).
Colloquial Use: “Sentir en el alma” (To deeply regret).
Sentence: “Ella siente amor por sus perras” (She feels love for her dogs).
Let’s Navigate Spanish Tenses to Speak Spanish Fluently
Understanding different tenses is key to speaking Spanish fluently. Each tense changes the verb ending and conveys a distinct time frame.
Present Tense Conjugation: It’s where you start. In this tense, verbs like “hablar” become “hablo” in the first person singular. Regular verbs follow a pattern, making them easier to learn.
The Role of Auxiliary Verbs: Auxiliary verbs are crucial in forming compound tenses. For example, “haber” is used in perfect tenses to indicate actions completed in the past.
Mastering ‘Vosotros’, ‘Usted’, and ‘Ellas’ Forms: In Spain, “vosotros” (you all) is commonly used, while in Latin America, “ustedes” is preferred. Also, mastering forms for “ellas” (they, feminine) and “tú” (you, singular) is essential for conversational fluency.
Conjugating Verbs in Different Persons: Each subject (yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros, nosotras, vosotros, vosotras, ellos, ellas, ustedes) requires a different verb form. This variance is a key aspect of learning Spanish verbs.
Advanced Insights in Compound Tenses and Reflexive Verbs
Moving to more advanced aspects of Spanish, compound tenses and reflexive verbs offer deeper insights into the language’s structure.
Compound Tenses and Their Construction: Compound tenses involve using an auxiliary verb, like “haber”, followed by a past participle. For instance, “He hablado” (I have spoken) uses the auxiliary verb “he” (I have) with the participle “hablado” (spoken).
Reflexive Verbs and Their Nuances: Reflexive verbs reflect the action back on the subject. For example, “lavarse” (to wash oneself) becomes “me lavo” (I wash myself) in the first person. These verbs add a level of complexity but are integral to speaking Spanish authentically.
The Importance of Verb Endings in Tenses: Verb endings change based on tense and subject. For instance, the ending for the first person singular in the future tense is typically “-é” as in “hablaré” (I will speak).
Utilizing Phrases and Words for Practice: Incorporating a variety of phrases and words in your practice sessions helps solidify your understanding of these concepts. Try forming sentences using different tenses and reflexive verbs to build your proficiency.
Jumpstart Your Spanish Mastery
As we conclude, remember the key role of Spanish verbs in your language journey.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
Whether it’s for travel, work, or personal growth, knowing these verbs opens up a world of opportunities.
Don’t wait – start practising these verbs today and see the difference it makes in your Spanish skills.
Your journey to fluency begins with this step.
