oigo
oh-ee-go
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
No te oigo bien, la música está muy alta.
A1I can't hear you well, the music is too loud.
¿Qué dices? Oigo ruidos extraños en el pasillo.
A2What are you saying? I hear strange noises in the hallway.
Cuando estoy meditando, oigo el silencio.
B1When I am meditating, I hear the silence.
💡 Grammar Points
The Irregular 'Yo' Form
The verb 'oír' is irregular only in the 'yo' form of the present tense. It adds a special '-g-' (oigo) where you might expect a simple 'oíro'. This 'go' ending is shared by other key irregular verbs like 'tener' (tengo) and 'venir' (vengo).
Oír vs. Escuchar
'Oigo' means you perceive sound, like involuntarily hearing a distant noise. If you want to say you are actively paying attention to something, use 'escucho' (I listen).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'G'
Mistake: "Muchos estudiantes dicen 'yo oyo' en vez de 'yo oigo'."
Correction: Always remember the 'g' in the 'yo' form: 'Yo oigo'. The 'y' appears in other forms (oyes, oye, oyendo).
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Confirmation
Use 'oigo' when you are on the phone or in a noisy place to confirm if the other person's voice is reaching you.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oigo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'oigo' to describe the action of perceiving a sound?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'oigo' used instead of 'estoy oyendo'?
Both mean 'I am hearing,' but 'oigo' (simple present) is much more common in Spanish for ongoing sensory perceptions. You usually use 'estoy oyendo' only when you want to emphasize the temporary, continuous nature of the sound.
If I want to say 'I listen to music,' should I use 'oigo' or 'escucho'?
You should use 'escucho' (I listen). Listening to music is an active choice. 'Oigo música' would imply you just happen to perceive background music involuntarily.