Inklingo

How to Say "they arrive" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llegan

YAY-gahn/ˈʎe.ɣan/

VerbA1General
Use 'llegan' when stating a fact about people or things arriving, often in the present indicative tense.
A colorful illustration showing two hikers smiling as they step onto a summit plateau where a small flag is planted, signifying the end of their journey.

Examples

Los paquetes llegan mañana.

The packages arrive tomorrow.

Los trenes siempre llegan a tiempo.

The trains always arrive on time.

¿A qué hora llegan ustedes del viaje?

What time are you all arriving from the trip?

Dicen que llegan las cartas mañana.

They say the letters will arrive tomorrow.

The 'G' Sound Rule

Even though 'llegar' is a regular verb, it needs a spelling change in certain forms (like 'yo' in the past tense: 'llegué') to keep the hard 'g' sound consistent. If it were spelled 'llege,' it would sound like 'leh-heh'!

Present Tense Meaning

This form, 'llegan,' can mean 'they arrive' (right now) or 'they are arriving' (current action), or even 'they do arrive' (habitual action).

Confusing 'llegar' and 'venir'

Mistake: “Using 'llegan' when you mean 'they come towards me' (use 'vienen').”

Correction: 'Llegar' means reaching a point, not necessarily movement toward the speaker. If the movement is toward you, use 'venir' ('vienen').

lleguen

yeh-gehn/ˈʎe.ɣen/

VerbB1General
Use 'lleguen' when the arrival is uncertain, desired, doubted, or necessary, typically appearing after expressions like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'quiero que' (I want that), in the subjunctive mood.
A colorful illustration showing three stylized travelers standing happily at the entrance of a brightly colored wooden house, having just arrived.

Examples

Quiero que mis amigos lleguen a tiempo.

I want my friends to arrive on time.

Espero que los invitados lleguen pronto.

I hope the guests arrive soon.

No creo que las noticias lleguen a tiempo.

I don't think the news will arrive on time.

¡Señores, lleguen a la puerta principal inmediatamente!

Gentlemen, arrive at the main door immediately! (Formal command)

The Subjunctive Mood

This form ('lleguen') is used when you express desire, doubt, hope, or necessity regarding the arrival of 'them' or 'you (formal plural)'. It shows that the arrival is uncertain or depends on someone's feeling.

Formal Commands

When giving a formal command to a group of people ('ustedes'), you use this exact form: '¡Lleguen a tiempo!' (Arrive on time!).

Mixing Indicative and Subjunctive

Mistake: “No creo que ellos llegan.”

Correction: No creo que ellos lleguen. (When you express doubt or disbelief using 'no creer,' you must use the special subjunctive form.)

Indicative vs. Subjunctive for 'Arrive'

The most common mistake is using the indicative 'llegan' when the subjunctive 'lleguen' is required. Remember, if the arrival is a fact, use 'llegan'. If it's a hope, wish, doubt, or command, use 'lleguen'.

Related Translations

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