by Olly Richards
When you're learning Spanish, Spanish verb conjugation rarely inspires enthusiasm, even in the most dedicated language learner.
If you think learning how to conjugate Spanish verbs is all word lists and conjugation tables, think again!
Verb conjugation is vital to speaking and understanding Spanish.
But it doesn't have to be difficult. Or boring.
In this article, you'll learn:
So let's go conjugate some Spanish verbs! I've been you've never been more excited to work on your Spanish grammar.
Pro Tip
By the way, if you want to learn Spanish through stories, not rules, my top recommendation for language learners is my Uncovered courses, which teach you through StoryLearning®. Click here to find out more and try out the method for free.
If you prefer watching videos to reading, hit play on the video version of this post below. Otherwise, keep scrolling for a deep dive into Spanish verb conjugation and the best way to learn Spanish.
What Is Spanish Verb Conjugation Anyway?
Verb conjugation is the process of modifying a verb to indicate who is doing what when.
In most Romance languages, including Spanish, the conjugation of a verb tells you an incredible amount of information in a single word.
This can sometimes be confusing for English-speaking Spanish learners because English has so few distinct conjugations. For example, the verb “to eat” in the past tense takes the same form for each person:
- I ate
- You ate
- He/she ate
- We ate
- They ate
In Spanish, however, each verb is formed differently based on who is doing the running, eating, speaking, etc.
Why Should You Bother With Spanish Verb Conjugation?
Simply put, without proper verb conjugation, you won't be able to communicate in Spanish.
So much of what you are told and tell others in Spanish has a completely different meaning depending on the verb conjugation:
- the person
- the time frame
- sometimes even the intent of the action can all be conveyed through conjugation.
Even the most basic communication will depend on verb conjugation if you want to be understood.
- So how do you go about mastering Spanish verb conjugation?
- Do you just start filling out conjugation charts over and over again until you've memorised every tense of every verb?
If that sounds terrible and ineffective to you, you're right! Verb conjugation is so often overwhelming for Spanish learners because you assume you need to memorise every verb before you can really speak Spanish.
You know, I used to buy grammar practice books when I was first starting out, trying to wrap my head around it.
- I would copy out verb tables
- I made flashcard after flashcard after flashcard
It was just as boring as it sounds.
Over time, my process has changed. There's still a place for memorising tenses. But I don't think it's the only (or best) way to master verb conjugation.
Before I describe my process for learning to conjugate verbs, let's look at the very basics of Spanish verb conjugation.
Spanish Verb Conjugation: The Basics
Let's start with three common verbs:
- hablar (to speak)
- leer (to read)
- and escribir (to write)
Why these three verbs?
In Spanish verb conjugation, there are three general distinctions based on the ending of the verb.
To conjugate a verb, remove the infinitive ending (either –ar, –er, or –ir) and add the appropriate ending.
Here's a quick example of how the regular verbs are conjugated in the simple present tense:
| -ar verbs | -er verbs | -ir verbs | |
| yo | -o | -o | -o |
| tú | -as | -es | -es |
| él/ella/Ud. | -a | -e | -e |
| nosotros | -amos | -emos | -imos |
| vosotros | -áis | -éis | -ís |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | -an | -en | -en |
So for the 3 verbs I mentioned earlier, here's what happens when you remove the ending (-ar, -er or -ir) and add the endings in the table above:
Hablar
- hablo
- hablas
- habla
- hablamos
- habláis
- hablan
Leer
- leo
- lees
- lee
- leemos
- leéis
- leen
Escribir
- escribo
- escribes
- escribe
- escribimos
- escribís
- escriben
Whether you're using
- trabajar (to work)
- ayudar (to help),
- or bailar (to dance)
the conjugation patterns are all the same.
What you'll probably find, though, is that you really don't need to know all of the verbs or tenses in Spanish. In everyday communication, you'll use some more than others.
Five Steps to Mastering Spanish Verb Conjugation
That's one reason why my process for learning verb conjugation relies so much on regular communication in Spanish.
My method for mastering Spanish verb conjugation is based on these 5 keys:
- Getting as much input as possible in Spanish
- Learning common tenses and conjugations
- Speaking Spanish
- Learning the most common irregular verbs
- Practising your Spanish by reading, writing and speaking
Let's take a look at each step in turn, starting with the most important one.
1. Increase Your Spanish Input
If you're just starting out, I recommend listening to as much authentic Spanish as you can for a full week before you even crack open a conjugation workbook. (Spanish Conversations is designed to help you with this).
How much is enough?
That will depend on how dedicated you are to become fluent in Spanish.
You know when, in your native language, you can just hear when something sounds wrong? Well, that comes from hundreds of thousands of hours of natural exposure to the language from birth.
The more exposure you get to the natural flow and rhythm of Spanish, the more verb conjugation will intuitively “sound right” to you as well.
2. Start Drilling With The Most Common Tenses
After a week of intense exposure to Spanish, it's time to start your targeted verb study.
Don't panic, though. Even this step shouldn't be rote memorisation of lists of words.
In most cases, the verb forms you really need are the:
- first-
- second-
- and third-person singular tenses
in the
- simple present
- preterite and past imperfect tenses
After learning I, you, and he/she first, you'll be able to get through most conversations just fine because those conjugations are much more common than others. The rest will come as you continue to improve.
Because of the week you spent listening to as much Spanish as you could, conjugation should start “clicking” for you.
That's why I don't list this step first.
You want to start with a foundation of exposure so that you'll intuitively “hear” proper conjugations even if you can't perfectly form each one…
…Yet!
3. Speak Spanish Every Day
If you've spent any amount of time on this site, you had to know this was coming, right?
I'm a huge proponent of speaking Spanish from very early on in your language learning.
After all, the ability to speak with people all around the world is what got me into learning languages in the first place. For me, speaking is what it's all about.
And I don't think you should wait to feel ready before you start speaking. (Fear holding you back? This article should help.)
When it comes to verb conjugation in particular, speaking Spanish regularly will help you sort all this out in your mind. Everything will come together when you combine targeted study with daily conversation.
The revision helps you learn more or less how the verbs work. But it's by actually speaking and communicating and using the verbs as you talk to people that the small number of verbs and tenses you need get cemented in your brain.
Even if you don't feel ready to hold a conversation in Spanish, do it anyway!
Do whatever you need to speak Spanish every single day, whether that means:
- getting a language tutor online
- finding a speaking partner
- or joining a Spanish club
Very little will have a more significant impact on how fast you learn and how well you remember than having real-time conversations in Spanish every single day.
4. Memorise Important Irregular Spanish Verbs
Spanish conjugation is full of patterns. As you learn to recognise these patterns, it will be easier to correctly conjugate verbs even without looking up the conjugation chart for that specific verb.
That said, many of the most common verbs have irregular forms in at least one tense (often all).
What you'll want to do is focus on memorising the most common irregulars so you don't try and conjugate them like any other verb.
Irregular verbs like:
- ser and estar (to be)
- tener (to have)
- and hacer (to do or make)
are part of almost every conversation.
So which verbs should you start with? You can find any number of frequency word lists online, but here is a list of the 33 Spanish verbs, many of which have irregular forms, that I suggest you start with to get communicating right away.
This is another area where high levels of Spanish input and speaking practice will help.
Because these irregulars show up so often, it's even more important to be familiar with how they sound in everyday conversation. That way, when you sit down to memorise forms, the conjugations will fit with what you already know Spanish sounds like.
5. Practice, Practice, And More Practice
Practice makes perfect, right?
There's no way around it: regular practice and repetition are necessary for you to master Spanish verb conjugation.
I recommend at least three different types of practice: reading, writing, and speaking.
#1: Reading In Spanish
Earlier on, I suggested you spend as much time listening to Spanish as possible.
You'll still learn new words from time to time when listening to Spanish music or to the news in Spanish. But reading is an even better way to pick up new verbs and conjugations.
Why is that?
It's because reading is more active than listening. (This is part of the reason why it's the foundation of the StoryLearning® method).
The problem with just listening is that it's easy to zone out. Reading is what helps me focus on details because I'm paying attention to every single word.
Read a lot (and regularly) so you can see the verb conjugations in action on the page.
Need some book recommendations to get you started? Here are the 6 Spanish books I recommend to beginners to grow your vocabulary and boost your fluency.
#2: Writing In Spanish
I see most conjugation practice as a holistic process. But some written exercises can help you memorise verb forms.
The best verb drills are the ones that help you produce common verbs quickly. So you don't have to stop and think mid-sentence.
This could be through
- an app
- a workbook
- or a pencil and paper.
Or, when you get more advanced, through writing in your journal in Spanish or taking a writing course in Spanish.
#3: Speaking In Spanish
As always, keep speaking Spanish every day.
The more you do, the more natural verb conjugation will be.
If you need some help to get started speaking in Spanish on the regular, take a look at this list of 71 common Spanish phrases I put together to help you survive your first conversation with a native speaker.
Spanish Conjugation FAQs
What Are The Rules For Spanish Conjugation?
Spanish conjugation might seem tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad.
First, you need to identify the verb type, as there are three: -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.
Each type has its own set of endings. Then, you remove the infinitive ending to get the verb stem.
Depending on the tense (like present, past, or future) and the subject (like yo, tú, él), you add different endings.
For example, in the present tense, hablar becomes yo hablo, tú hablas, and él habla for -ar verbs.
Comer changes to yo como, tú comes, and él come for -er verbs.
Lastly, vivir turns into yo vivo, tú vives, and él vive for -ir verbs.
Watch out for irregular verbs because some don’t follow the regular patterns, so you’ll need to memorise those, like ser, ir, and tener. And remember, practice makes perfect!
How To Know Which Conjugation To Use In Spanish?
To know which Spanish conjugation to use, first identify the subject (yo, tú, él, etc.) and the tense (present, past, future).
For example, for “I eat,” use the present tense of comer, which is como.
For “we ate,” use the past tense, comimos.
Pay careful attention to irregular verbs, as they don’t follow standard patterns and require memorisation.
Context can usually help you determine the right Spanish verb conjugation. That's why I suggest you practice Spanish conjugation by reading and listening to Spanish stories.
With practice, it becomes easier to choose the correct form automatically. Keep practicing, and you’ll get the hang of it!
When Should I Not Conjugate A Verb In Spanish?
In Spanish, you should not conjugate a verb when it follows another conjugated verb, like in “quiero comer” (I want to eat) where comer stays in its infinitive form.
The same applies after prepositions such as para, de, and a.
To find out more about Spanish prepositions, click here.
For example, in “voy a estudiar” (I’m going to study), estudiar remains unconjugated.
Additionally, verbs are not conjugated when used as gerunds (the -ing form) in continuous tenses, like “estoy hablando” (I am speaking).
Also, infinitives are used for commands in the negative form, such as “no tocar” (do not touch).
These are the main instances where Spanish conjugation is not necessary.
What Spanish Conjugation Is Only Used In Spain?
The Spanish conjugation only used in Spain is the “vosotros” form.
This is the informal plural “you” and is used when addressing a group of people you are familiar with.
For example, in the present tense, the verb hablar (to speak) becomes “vosotros habláis.” In the past tense, it’s “vosotros hablasteis.“
This form is not used in Latin American Spanish, where “ustedes” serves as both the formal and informal plural “you.”
So, if you're learning Spanish specifically for use in Spain, mastering the “vosotros” form is essential!
How Can You Tell If A Spanish Verb Is Irregular?
To tell if a Spanish verb is irregular, you usually need to check its Spanish conjugation patterns.
Irregular verbs don't follow the standard Spanish conjugation rules.
For example, the verb “tener” (to have) doesn’t follow regular Spanish verb conjugation patterns and changes to “tengo” in the first-person singular present tense.
Another clue is if the stem of the verb changes, like “poder” (to be able), which becomes “puedo.”
Common Spanish irregular verbs include ser, ir, tener, and hacer.
Often, memorisation and practice are the best ways to recognise and remember irregular Spanish verbs.
If a verb doesn’t follow the regular -ar, -er, or -ir conjugation rules, it’s likely irregular.
Spanish Verb Conjugation: You Got This!
Remember: there is no quick fix.
Don't get discouraged if it's taking longer than you'd like to master Spanish verb conjugation. Verb conjugation is an ongoing process, but you can do it!
If you do need some more help though, I've got a brand new course out which will turn you into a Spanish grammar hero.
If you're interested in the immersion method I mentioned in this post, rather than rule-based learning, then I think you're going to love Grammar Hero.
The programme is designed for low intermediate and intermediate learners to help you transform your Spanish grammar in the next 90 days. Grammar hero helps you master Spanish grammar the natural way through “controlled immersion” (meaning with material at your level) and story.
If you want to stop translating in your head and finally master Spanish grammar, you can check out the programme here.
