va
“va” means “goes” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
goes
Also: you go
📝 In Action
Ella va al mercado todos los días.
A1She goes to the market every day.
El tren va a Madrid.
A1The train goes to Madrid.
Disculpe, ¿usted va a la estación?
A1Excuse me, are you (formal) going to the station?
📝 In Action
Él va a llamar más tarde.
A1He is going to call later.
Creo que va a llover.
A1I think it's going to rain.
¿Qué va a hacer usted mañana?
A2What are you (formal) going to do tomorrow?
📝 In Action
¿Cómo te va?
A1How's it going?
Ese color te va muy bien.
A2That color suits you very well.
La película va de un viaje a la luna.
B1The movie is about a trip to the moon.
Todo va según el plan.
B1Everything is going according to plan.
Okay! / Deal!
Also: Come on!
📝 In Action
- ¿Vamos al cine? - ¡Va!
A2- Shall we go to the movies? - Okay!
¡Venga, va, que llegamos tarde!
B1Come on, let's go, we're late!
¡Va, no te creo!
B1Come on, I don't believe you!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: va
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'va' to talk about the future?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Va' comes from the Latin verb 'vadere', which meant 'to go' or 'to walk'. Interestingly, its base verb 'ir' comes from a different Latin verb, 'ire'. Spanish borrowed forms from several different Latin verbs to build the modern verb 'ir', which is why it's so irregular.
First recorded: Forms related to 'vadere' have been present since the earliest forms of Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'va' from 'ir'? They look so different!
It's a great question! 'Ir' is a highly irregular verb. Over hundreds of years, it borrowed forms from three different Latin verbs: 'ire' (to go), 'vadere' (to walk), and 'esse' (to be). 'Va' comes from 'vadere', while other forms like 'fui' (I went) come from the verb for 'to be'. It's strange, but very common!
What's the difference between 'va' and 'se va'?
Good question! 'Va' means 'goes' to a destination (Él va a la tienda - He goes to the store). Adding 'se' ('se va') changes the meaning to 'leaves' a place (Él se va de la tienda - He leaves the store). 'Se va' focuses on the act of departing.
Can I use 'va' for 'you'?
Yes, but only for the formal 'you', which is 'usted'. For the informal, friendly 'you' ('tú'), you must use 'vas'. For example, 'Usted va al banco' (You are going to the bank - formal) vs. 'Tú vas al banco' (You are going to the bank - informal).