October 21, 2022 by Michelle Margaret Fajkus Spanish Grammar 0 comments
Do you know what Spanish “go verbs” are? What about “yo-go” verbs?
These two terms actually mean the same thing—they refer to a category of irregular Spanish verbs. When conjugated in the present indicative, these verbs end in -go in the first person (yo) form.
For example:
Yo hago mi tarea. (hacer)
I do my homework.
Yo pongo mi cuaderno en el escritorio. (poner)
I put my notebook on the desk.
Tengo dos hermanas. (tener)
I have two sisters.
Keep reading to learn all about the “go verbs” and how to use them to speak about yourself in the present tense!
Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL SPANISH CLASS today! ➡️
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- 9 Most Common Go Verbs
- 3 Categories of Go Verbs
- Spanish Go Verbs Practice Quiz
9 Most Common Go Verbs
Even though it means “to go,” the Spanish verb ir is not a “go verb” because its first-person present-tense conjugation is voy.
Here are the 9 most common “go verbs” in Spanish, along with their English translation and first-person present-tense conjugation.
- Decir – to say – digo
- Hacer – to do, to make – hago
- Poner – to put – pongo
- Salir – to leave, to go out – salgo
- Tener – to have – tengo
- Venir – to come – vengo
- Caer – to fall – caigo
- Traer – to bring – traigo
- Oír – to hear – oigo
In some cases, only the yo form changes, whereas some of these verbs are also irregular in other forms.
And did you notice that “go verbs” only include verbs ending in -ir and -er? There’s not an –ar verb to be found in this category!
3 Categories of Go Verbs
Spanish “go verbs” fall into three categories. Let’s go through them one by one. Nearly 80 Spanish verbs fall into this category in Spanish, but they’re all derived from the ones listed below.
1. Hacer Go Verbs
The verb hacer is one of the most frequently used “go verbs” in Spanish. We form the following “go verbs” using hacer with a prefix:
- Rehacer – to redo
- Deshacer – to undo
- Contrahacer – to counterfeit
- Satisfacer – to satisfy
Although these prefixes change the meaning of the main verb, the conjugation pattern remains the same as the root verb (hacer).
Example Sentences
Hago mis ejercicios en la tarde.
I’m doing my exercises in the afternoon.
Yo hago mi cama todas las mañanas.
I make my bed every morning.
PRO TIP! The subject yo is optional. It’s not necessary to use the subject in sentences in the first person, since the verb conjugation tells you who the subject is.
Como periodista, rehago mis artículos para que queden perfectos.
As a journalist, I rework my articles to make them perfect.
Yo deshago todo mi trabajo.
I undo all my work.
Contrahago una obra de arte.
I counterfeit a work of art.
Satisfago las necesidades de mis clientes.
I satisfy my customers’ needs.
2. +G Verbs
The second category of “go verbs” in Spanish are conjugated regularly in the present indicative, except for the first person conjugation (yo) form, where you must add a g before the suffix -o.
These verbs include:
- Oír – to hear
- Poner – to put
- Salir – to leave, to go out
- Tener – to have
- Valer – to be worth
- Venir – to come
- Asir – to grasp
The verb poner conjugates to pongo, rather than pono in the first person simple present indicative. Likewise, it’s salgo (not salo) for salir.
Example Sentences
Oigo un ruido raro afuera en el patio.
I hear a strange noise outside in the garden.
Pongo lechuga, zanahoria y cebolla en la ensalada.
I’m putting lettuce, carrots and onions in the salad.
Salgo mañana con mis amigas.
I’m going out with my friends tomorrow.
Tengo tres perros peludos.
I have three furry dogs.
¿Cuánto valgo para la organización?
How much am I worth to the organisation?
Yo vengo de la oficina.
I’m coming (home) from the office.
Yo asgo las maletas.
I take the suitcases.
3. -igo Verbs
Lastly, for a few verbs including, we simply add -igo as the first person present tense verb ending. These Spanish verbs include:
- Decir – to say
- Caer – to fall
- Traer – to bring
Example Sentences
Digo la verdad.
I’m telling the truth.
Yo digo lo que pienso es correcto.
I say what I think is right.
¡No caigo en esa trampa!
I’m not falling in that trap!
A veces me caigo bajando las escaleras.
I sometimes fall going downstairs.
Traigo pan de banano y té de menta.
I’m bringing banana bread and mint tea.
Yo traigo mi maleta al aeropuerto.
I bring my suitcase to the airport.
PRO TIP! The yo-go verbs also add the medial -g– (or -ig- when the root ends in a vowel) in the present subjunctive. For example: tener – tenga, decir – digas, venir – vengan, and hacer – hagamos.
Spanish Go Verbs Practice Quiz
Conjugate the verbs in parentheses in the simple present tense.
1. Yo ______ (tener) un dia libre mañana. (I have a free day tomorrow.)
2. Yo me ______ (caer) cuando llevo tacones. (I fall when I wear high heels.)
3. Yo ______ (poner) dos tazas en la mesa para nosotros. (I put two tea cups on the table for us.)
4. Yo ______ (traer) un regalo para el cumpleaños de mi hermana. (I bring a gift for my sister’s birthday.)
5. Zachary ______ (tener) problemas de salud. (Zachary has health problems.)
6. ¿Mi papá ______ (venir) con nosotros? (Is my father coming with us?)
7. La escultura ______ (valer) $1000. (The sculpture is worth $1000.)
8. Yo ______(salir) del trabajo a las 4 pm los martes. (I leave work at 4pm on Tuesdays.)
9. Yo ______ (oír) un ruido de ese cuarto. (I hear a noise from that room.)
10. Yo siempre ______ (hacer) una sopa para la cena. (I always make soup for dinner.)
Click here to see the answer key.
Go Further with Your Spanish Abilities!
You now have a great list of “go verbs” to get you started with speaking about yourself in the present tense. At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we offer 1-on-1 sessions for adults who need a tailored class to suit their language needs (as well as classes for kids and high schoolers). If you are looking for a native Spanish speaker to practice your new skills with, try a free trial class with one of our experienced, professional teachers! They will answer all your questions and help you skillfully move beyond the “go verbs” into more advanced Spanish territory.
Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!
- ‘Haber De’ vs ‘Haber Que’ in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
- A Simple Guide to Possessive Adjectives in Spanish
- What Does ‘Mande’ Mean in Spanish?
- A Massive List of Spanish Adjectives and How To Use Them
- What are Spanish ‘Go Verbs’?
- 28 Spanish Suffixes To Boost Your Fluency to Super-Human Status
- Comparatives and Superlatives in Spanish
- How to Use Vosotros When You Talk to Spanish Speakers in Spain
Answer Key
1. Tengo
2. Caigo
3. Pongo
4. Traigo
5. Tiene
6. Viene
7. Vale
8. Salgo
9. Oigo
10. Hago
- Author
- Recent Posts
Follow on FB
Michelle Margaret Fajkus
Editor & Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
Michelle Margaret Fajkus is a bilingual writer and longtime yoga teacher. A former advertising copywriter turned bilingual elementary school teacher, she is now a freelance writer, editor and translator. A native Texan, Michelle has Mexican roots and learned Spanish in middle and high school. She has become more fluent thanks to living as an expat in Guatemala. She lives with her family on beautiful Lake Atitlan.
Follow on FB
Latest posts by Michelle Margaret Fajkus (see all)
- 10 Differences in Latin Culture Compared to U.S. Culture - November 21, 2022
- How to Say ‘Sentence’ in Spanish: 5 Useful Synonyms - November 8, 2022
- What are Spanish ‘Go Verbs’? - October 21, 2022
grammar spanish grammar
FAQs
What is an example of a go verb? ›
Present Simple: "Peter goes to church on Sundays." Present Continuous: "We are going shopping soon." Present Perfect: "Peter has gone to the bank." Present Perfect Continuous: "Susan has been going to classes for three weeks."
Why are they called Go verbs in Spanish? ›There are a number of Spanish verbs which are regular in the present tense in all but the first person singular. These are known as "g verbs" or "yo go verbs" because the first person singular requires an unexpected g and the conjugation then ends in -go.
What type of verb is go? ›The verb go is an irregular verb in the English language (see English irregular verbs). It has a wide range of uses; its basic meaning is "to move from one place to another". Apart from the copular verb be, the verb go is the only English verb to have a suppletive past tense, namely went.
How do you use GO verbs in Spanish? ›The Spanish "yo-go" verbs. A small number of verbs have a -go ending in the present tense in their "yo" form. In some cases only the yo form changes, but some are irregular in other forms too: decir (to say)
What is the 3 verb of go? ›Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense goes , present participle going , past tense went , past participle gone In most cases the past participle of go is gone, but occasionally you use 'been': see been. When you go somewhere, you move or travel there.
Is poner a go verb? ›2) The GO form
Some of these verbs include Poner, Oír, Salir, Tener, Valer, Venir, among others (and related ones). Let's take the verb poner, which means “to put”.
Estar is an irregular yo verb, which means that the first person singular is the one that suffers the big change in conjugation compared to regular verbs. As irregular as estar is, it follows the same pattern of conjugation as two other important Spanish verbs: ir (to go) and dar (to give).
Is salir a yo go verb? ›Characteristics of the Verb Salir
Salir is an irregular verb, meaning it doesn't always follow traditional formats of verbal conjugation in Spanish. In its different forms and tenses, salir's stem changes. Salir's most characteristic change is its 'yo' form in the present tense, which becomes yo salgo.
The verb 'go' is an irregular verb. Unlike a 'regular' verb, 'go' does not add '-ed' for its simple past tense. The past tense of 'go' is 'went.
What is the simple tense of the verb go? ›The past simple tense of go is went. For example, he went to school today and every day. The past perfect is gone, he has gone home for now.
Is Fui to go or to be? ›
Fui can mean either “I was” or “I went,” fuiste can mean either “you were” or “you went,” and so on.
What are the 12 tenses of go? ›- Indicative.
- Present. I go. you go. he goes. ...
- I am going. you are going. he is going. we are going. ...
- I went. you went. he went. we went. ...
- I was going. you were going. he was going. ...
- I have gone. you have gone. he has gone. ...
- I have been going. you have been going. he has been going. ...
- I had gone. you had gone. he had gone.
Strong Verbs: Go/Went Come/Came.
What type of infinitive is go? ›Thus to go is an infinitive, as is go in a sentence like "I must go there" (but not in "I go there", where it is a finite verb). The form without to is called the bare infinitive, and the form with to is called the full infinitive or to-infinitive.
Is go a base form? ›For example, the base form "go" can be both used by itself and modified, whereas the base form "anti" must be connected with another word in order to make sense. The term base form may mean slightly different things, depending on whether you are talking about grammar or etymology.
Is go a verb or subject? ›verb (used without object), went [went], gone [gawn, gon], go·ing. to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
What are the 5 forms of estar? ›This lesson showed you how to conjugate the verb estar in the present indicative, imperfect, and present subjunctive forms. To describe how you feel or where you are, you use the present indicative forms of estar - estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.
Is go an infinitive? ›Infinitive vs Gerund
The first one shows that after the verb want we use the infinitive (to go). The second highlights that after the verb enjoy we use the gerund (going).
Saber is an irregular verb. It does not conjugate the same way as regular -er verbs. Thus it is 《yo sé》 instead of 《yo sabo》.
Is Yo Soy a verb? ›
...
Free Spanish Grammar Lesson.
| Pronoun | Present Tense Verb Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | soy |
| Tú | eres |
| Él, Ella, Usted | es |
| Nosotros, Nosotras | somos |
Go is an irregular verb, and its past tense is went. I went to the mall yesterday. Jordanna went fishing and caught several fish. You went to the party last night?
Should go is a verb? ›The auxiliary verb should is invariable. There is only one form: should. The main verb is usually in the base form (He should go).
What is the first verb of go? ›| (Base) 1st | (Past) 2nd | (Past Participle) 3rd |
|---|---|---|
| Go | Went | Gone |
| Get list of more Verb Forms. | ||
We use go to a/the + nouns describing places or events. We use go to + the before nouns of places that we typically go in the city. I need to go to the dentist. I'm going to the bank.
What is the difference between to come and to go? ›Grammar > Easily confused words > Come or go? We use come to describe movement between the speaker and listener, and movement from another place to the place where the speaker or listener is. We usually use go to talk about movement from where the speaker or listener is to another place.
Is it yo fue or Yo Fui? ›Preterite Tense of Ser
' Since the yo form of '-ar' verbs is '-é' in the preterite, both fui and fue look like they could be the yo form, so students sometimes mistakenly say yo fue. So, be sure to remember, fui is the yo form and fue is the él/ella/Ud.
Verbs almost always come after a noun or pronoun. These nouns and pronouns are referred to as the subject. The verb thought comes after the noun Jack, so the action Jack (subject) was taking was thinking (verb).
What is the action verb of go? ›Example 1. Yesterday, we went to a restaurant after our game. The subject of this sentence is “we,” and the action verb is “went.” The base verb “go” is irregular in the past tense, so we use “went” instead of “goed.” Going to the restaurant is an action that was completed by the people described in the sentence.
What are the 4 types of verbs? ›There are four TYPES of verbs: intransitive, transitive, linking, and passive.
What are the 3 types of verbs? ›
There are three types of verbs: action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs. Action verbs are words that express action (give, eat, walk, etc.) or possession (have, own, etc.). Action verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.
What are the 20 examples of verbs? ›Examples: swim, realize, Run, Walk, laugh, have, promise, invite, listen, running, winning, being, etc.
What is simple tense go? ›The simple present tense of 'go' is either 'go' or 'goes' and can be used in the following ways: They/you/we/I go down the lane. He/she/it goes down the lane.
What is the best tense of go? ›The past simple tense of go is went. For example, he went to school today and every day. The past perfect is gone, he has gone home for now.
What is irregular verb for go? ›Past Tense of “Go”: “Went”
Go is an irregular verb, and its past tense is went.
Infinitive vs Gerund
The first one shows that after the verb want we use the infinitive (to go). The second highlights that after the verb enjoy we use the gerund (going).
verb (used without object), went [went], gone [gawn, gon], go·ing. to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
Is go a linking verb? ›Appear, be, become, feel, get, go, grow, look, prove, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn. These verbs are often followed by adjectives instead of adverbs.