elegir
/eh-leh-HEER/
to choose
To choose (elegir) means selecting from various options.
elegir(verb)
to choose
?to select from options
,to select
?making a preference known
to pick
?informal choice
📝 In Action
¿Qué postre vas a elegir?
A2Which dessert are you going to choose?
Ella siempre elige el camino más difícil.
B1She always chooses the most difficult path.
Elegimos este color para la sala.
A2We selected this color for the living room.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Yo' Form Exception
In the present tense, the 'yo' form changes its spelling from 'elegir' to 'elijo'. The 'g' turns into a 'j' to keep the sound consistent across all verb forms.
Vowel Change (e → i)
This verb is a 'boot verb' that shortens the vowel 'e' to 'i' in many forms, including the gerund ('eligiendo') and the preterite 3rd person ('él/ella eligió').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the 'J' change
Mistake: "Yo elego (like a regular verb)."
Correction: Say 'Yo elijo'. Remember, the 'g' needs to change to a 'j' when it comes before an 'o' or an 'a' sound.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'elegir' vs. 'escoger'
Both mean 'to choose,' but 'elegir' is often slightly more formal or implies a more significant decision than 'escoger' (which can be used for simpler selections like picking a shirt).
When you elect (elegir) someone, you select them by vote for an office.
elegir(verb)
to elect
?to select by vote for an office
to appoint
?to designate someone for a position
📝 In Action
El pueblo eligió a un nuevo presidente.
B2The people elected a new president.
Debemos elegir a los miembros de la junta directiva.
C1We must elect the members of the board of directors.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Prepositions
When talking about who was elected 'as' something, Spanish often uses 'como' (as): 'Lo eligieron como líder' (They elected him as leader).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: elegir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the highly irregular 'yo' form of elegir?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'elegir' change spelling so much in the present tense?
It has two simultaneous sound changes. First, the 'e' becomes 'i' (a common pattern in 'ir' verbs). Second, the 'g' changes to a 'j' only when it comes immediately before an 'a' or 'o' sound (like in 'elijo' or 'elija'). This is just to ensure the sound stays consistent across the conjugations.
Is 'elegir' a reflexive verb?
No, 'elegir' is almost never used reflexively. You simply choose something ('elegir algo'). You might occasionally hear 'elegirse' to mean 'to choose oneself' but this is rare.