va
/ba/
goes
Here, 'va' shows someone is moving from one place to another, like this student who 'va a la escuela' (goes to school).
📝 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?
💡 Grammar Points
The Verb 'Ir' (To Go)
'Va' comes from the verb 'ir'. It's the form you use for a single person or thing you're talking about (he, she, it) or for the formal 'you' (usted).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'a' for Destination
Mistake: "Incorrect: Él va el parque."
Correction: Correct: Él va al parque. When you're going TO a place, you almost always need the little word 'a' after 'va'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pointing to a Destination
Think of 'va' as an arrow pointing toward a destination. It answers the question 'Where is he/she/it going?'
When you see 'va a' plus another action, it means something is 'going to' happen soon. This person 'va a beber agua' (is going to drink water).
va(Verb (part of a phrase))
is going to
?used to form the near future
will
?simple future
📝 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?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Going To' Future Formula
To say what's going to happen, use this simple recipe: 'va' + 'a' + the basic form of an action verb (like comer, hablar, vivir).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'a'
Mistake: "Incorrect: Ella va estudiar."
Correction: Correct: Ella va a estudiar. You always need the little word 'a' to connect 'va' to the next action.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Everyday Future Tense
In daily conversation, Spanish speakers use 'va a...' much more often than the other future tense. It sounds more natural and immediate.
Sometimes 'va' means something 'goes well' with something else. For example, 'el sombrero va con la bufanda' (the hat goes with the scarf).
va(Verb (in expressions))
it's going
?how things are progressing
it suits / it goes with
?fashion, decoration
,it's about
?topic of a book/film
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Listen for the Context
When 'va' doesn't seem to be about movement, listen to the words around it. 'Va con...' often means 'goes with', and 'va de...' often means 'is about'.
As a quick, one-word response, '¡Va!' can mean 'Okay!', 'Deal!', or '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!
⭐ Usage Tips
A Quick 'Yes'
Use '¡Va!' as a short, informal way to agree to a plan or suggestion. It's like saying 'I'm in!' or 'Deal!'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: va
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'va' to talk about the future?
📚 More Resources
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).