Today we’ll be talking about the verb IR in Spanish, whose basic meaning is TO GO.
This verb is irregular, so you have to memorize all the forms. It´s also used in many expressions where it is not literally translated into English.
Conjugation
Let´s start with the conjugation of the verb IR. Here it is in the most important tenses.
Present
| yo | voy |
| tú | vas |
| ella | va |
| nosotros | vamos |
| vosotras | vais |
| ellos | van |
Preterite
| yo | fui |
| tú | fuiste |
| ella | fue |
| nosotros | fuimos |
| vosotras | fuisteis |
| ellos | fueron |
Imperfect
| yo | iba |
| tú | ibas |
| ella | iba |
| nosotros | íbamos |
| vosotras | ibais |
| ellos | iban |
Future
| yo | iré |
| tú | irás |
| ella | irá |
| nosotros | iremos |
| vosotras | iréis |
| ellos | irán |
Basic Meaning
The basic meaning of the verb IR is TO GO. Let´s have a look at some examples:
| Vamos al cine. | We go to the movie theater. |
| El estudiante fue a la escuela. | The student went to school. |
| Los niños iban a casa. | The children went home. |
| Iré en autobús. | I’ll go by bus. |
| Vamos en tren o en avión. | We go by train or by air. |
| Hoy vamos al parque. | We´re going to the park today. |
| ¿Cuándo fuisteis al trabajo? | When did you go to work? |
| El tren va a Barcelona. | Te train goes to Barcelona. |
Transportation
As you can see in the examples above, you use the verb with means of transportation. Here are some examples:
| ir en bicicleta | to ride a bike |
| ir a caballo | to ride a horse |
| ir en avión | to fly, to go by plane |
| ir en coche | to go by car, to drive |
| ir en tren | to go by train |
| ir andando / ir a pie | to walk, to go on foot |
Other Meanings
And here are some other meanings you can come across and some expressions with the verb IR. It´s one of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish, so here’s just a tiny selection.
| El paciente va bien. | The patient is doing well. |
| El ordenador no va. | The computer doesn´t work. |
| El reloj va atrasado. | The clock is slow. |
| ¿Cómo te va? | how are things? |
| Todo va bien. | Everything´s fine. |
| Ella va bien vestida. | She is well dressed. |
| José va con pantalones. | José is wearing pants. |
| No te va bien el sombrero. | The hat doesn’t suit you. |
| Va para viejo. | He’s getting old. |
If you want to learn more about the German counterpart of the verb IR, which is GEHEN, feel free to read my article that I wrote some time ago.
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