How to Say "to go" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to go” is “ir” — use 'ir' when describing general movement from one place to another, indicating a destination.
ir
eeriɾ
Examples
Voy a la tienda.
I'm going to the store.
¿Ustedes van al cine esta noche?
Are you all going to the movies tonight?
Mis padres fueron a España el año pasado.
My parents went to Spain last year.
Talking About the Future: Ir + a + verb
A very common way to talk about the future is using 'ir' like 'going to'. Just use the right form of 'ir', add 'a', and then the action verb. Example: 'Voy a comer' means 'I am going to eat'.
Always Use 'a' for Destinations
When you say you are going to a place, you almost always need the little word 'a' after 'ir'. Example: 'Voy a la playa' (I'm going to the beach).
Confusing 'ir' and 'venir'
Mistake: “'Vengo a la tienda ahora.' (When you are currently at home, not at the store).”
Correction: 'Voy a la tienda ahora.' Use 'ir' for movement away from you (going), and 'venir' for movement towards you (coming).
Crazy Past Tense Forms
Mistake: “Thinking the past tense is 'yo í' or 'yo fuió'.”
Correction: The past tense of 'ir' is totally different: 'fui, fuiste, fue...'. It's weird, but you just have to memorize it. The good news? It's the exact same as the past tense for 'ser' (to be)!
irse
EER-sehˈiɾse
Examples
Me voy a casa ahora.
I'm leaving for home now.
Se fueron de la fiesta muy temprano.
They left the party very early.
Si no te gusta, ¡vete!
If you don't like it, leave!
What's the 'se' for? ('ir' vs. 'irse')
Think of 'ir' as 'to go' (destination is key) and 'irse' as 'to go away' or 'to leave' (departure is key). For example, 'Voy a la tienda' (I'm going to the store) vs. 'Me voy de la tienda' (I'm leaving from the store).
Where does the little pronoun go?
The pronoun (me, te, se, etc.) usually goes right before the verb: 'Me voy'. But for commands or when attached to the verb's base form, it hooks onto the end: '¡Vete!' (Leave!) or 'Necesito irme' (I need to leave).
Forgetting the 'se' part when leaving
Mistake: “Yo voy de la oficina a las cinco.”
Correction: Yo me voy de la oficina a las cinco. (I leave the office at five.) To talk about leaving a place, you need 'irse', not just 'ir'.
irnos
EER-nohs'iɾnos
Examples
Tenemos que irnos ya.
We have to leave now.
Es hora de irnos a casa.
It's time for us to go home.
No queremos irnos de la fiesta.
We don't want to leave the party.
Verb + 'nos' = Action for 'Us'
'Irnos' is a combo of the verb 'ir' (to go) and the little word 'nos' (us). Sticking 'nos' on the end shows that 'we' are the ones doing the leaving. It turns 'to go' into 'to leave'.
The Difference Between 'Ir' and 'Irse'
Use 'ir' when you're talking about going TO a destination ('Vamos a la playa'). Use 'irse' (which becomes 'irnos' for 'we') when you're talking about leaving FROM a place ('Nos vamos de la oficina'). It's all about departure vs. arrival.
Where to Put 'nos'
Mistake: “Incorrect: 'Queremos nos ir de la fiesta.'”
Correction: Correct: 'Queremos irnos de la fiesta.' The 'nos' can stick to the end of the basic verb form. You can also put it before the first verb: 'Nos queremos ir de la fiesta.'
faltar
fal-TARfalˈtaɾ
Examples
Faltan cinco minutos para las ocho.
There are five minutes left until eight o'clock.
Faltan dos kilómetros para llegar.
There are two kilometers left to arrive.
Aún falta mucho para el verano.
There is still a long way to go until summer.
Talking about Time
When telling time, use 'faltar' to say how many minutes are left until the next hour. Example: 'Faltan diez para las cinco' (Ten to five).
volverse
bol-ver-sebolˈbeɾse
Examples
Después del accidente, se volvió muy callado.
After the accident, he became very quiet (reserved).
Con el tiempo, el agua se volvió hielo.
Over time, the water turned into ice.
Ella se volvió loca cuando perdió las llaves.
She went crazy when she lost the keys.
Reflexive Change
This verb is always reflexive (using me, te, se, etc.) when it means 'to become' because the subject is changing themselves.
Volverse vs. Ponerse
Use 'volverse' for deep, lasting, or unexpected changes in character or state, and 'ponerse' for temporary emotional changes (e.g., 'ponerse triste' - to get sad).
Using 'Ser' for Change
Mistake: “El niño fue alto.”
Correction: El niño se volvió alto. (You need a verb of change, not just 'ser', to describe the process of becoming something.)
Distinguishing 'ir' from 'irse'/'irnos'
Related Translations
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