How is the Simple Present used in Spanish?
It’s time to learn how to conjugate the Simple Present in Spanish. Study the Spanish conjugation with online lessons. Learn the basic grammar rules.
ar, er, ir
The Spanish Simple Present Tense can be used to talk about habitual actions, routines, things happening now or in the near future.
Below you’ll find instructions for forming regular verbs in the Present Tense, including the endings you need to know for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.
Verbs ending in – ar
Note: To conjugate an “-ar” verb, remove the infinitive ending (-ar) and add the ending that matches the subject.
Subject (-ar Endings)
Yo (I) – o
Tú (You)(Informal) – as
Usted (You)(Formal) – a
Él/Ella(He/She) – a
Nosotros(as)(We) – amos
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – áis
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – an
Ellos(as)(They) – an
We use as an e.g. the verb: “to speak = hablar“
Subject hablar English translation
Yo (I) – Hablo (I speak)
Tú (You)(Informal) – Hablas (You speak)
Usted (You)(Formal) – Habla (You speak)
Él/Ella(He/She) – Habla (He/She speaks)
Nosotros(as)(We) – Hablamos (We speak)
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – Habláis (You speak)
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – Hablan (You speak)
Ellos(as)(They) – Hablan (They speak)
Verbs ending in -er
Note: To conjugate an “-er” verb, remove the infinitive ending (-er) and add the ending that matches the subject.
Subject – er Endings
Yo (I) – o
Tú (You)(Informal) – es
Usted (You)(Formal) – e
Él/Ella(He/She) – e
Nosotros(as)(We) – emos
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – éis
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – en
Ellos(as)(They) – en
We use as an e.g. the verb: “to eat = comer“
Subject comer English translation
Yo (I) Como I eat
Tú (You)(Informal) Comes You eat
Usted (You)(Formal) Come You eat
Él/Ella(He/She) Come He/She eats
Nosotros(as)(We) Comemos We eat
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) Coméis You eat
Ustedes(You)(Formal) Comen You eat
Ellos(as)(They) Comen They eat
Verbs ending in – ir
Note: To conjugate an “-ir” verb, remove the infinitive ending (- ir) and add the ending that matches the subject.
Subject -ir Endings
Yo (I) – o
Tú (You)(Informal) – es
Usted (You)(Formal) – e
Él/Ella(He/She) – e
Nosotros(as)(We) – imos
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – ís
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – en
Ellos(as)(They) – en
We use as an e.g. the verb: “to live = vivir“
Subject – vivir English translation
Yo (I) – Vivo I live
Tú (You)(Informal) – Vives You live
Usted (You)(Formal) – Vive You live
Él/Ella(He/She) – Vive He/She lives
Nosotros(as)(We) – Vivimos We live
Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal) – Vivís You live
Ustedes(You)(Formal) – Viven You live
Ellos(as)(They) – Viven They live
Simple Present – Examples
Habitual Actions
Habitual actions are activities that a person does every day (or very often) .
Me levanto a las seis y media cada mañana. – I get up at six thirty every morning.
Trabajo para el zoológico. – I work for the zoo.
Estudio Biología en la universidad. – I study Biology at the university.
Things Happening Now
In English, something happening at the moment of speaking is usually expressed using the Present Progressive. In Spanish, both the Simple Present and the Present Progressive can be used to talk about things happening now.
¿Cómo estás? – How are you doing?
Estoy bien, gracias. – I’m doing well, thank you.
¿Qué haces? – What are you doing?
Limpio la cocina. – I’m cleaning the kitchen.
Things Happening in the Near Future
The Spanish Present Tense can also be used to talk about things that will happen in the near future.
Voy al parque. ¿Vienes? – I’m going to the park. Want to come?
Salgo para el aeropuerto en media hora. – I’m leaving for the airport in half an hour.
Timeless Events/Universal Truths
Things that are universally known or generally excepted are often expressed using the Simple Present. These can be facts, opinions, or proverbs.
1 + 1 = 2
Uno más uno es dos. – One plus one is two.
El hombre es mortal. – Mankind is mortal.
Hypothetical Situations
When used with the conjunction si (if), the Present Tense can express hypothetical situations and outcomes.
Si llega Marcos, salgo. – If Marcos comes, I’m out.
Si llueve, la fiesta termina. – If it rains, the party’s over.
Lapses of Time
The Present Tense is commonly used to talk about the amount of time something has been going on. The following formula is used with the Present Tense for this purpose.
Hace + Time Period + que + Present Tense Verb
Hace tres años que esperamos tu llamada.- We’ve been waiting for your call for three years.
Hace una semana que pinta este cuadro. – It’s been a week since he painted this painting
Ordering
It’s also quite common to use the Present Tense in Spanish when ordering something in a restaurant or store.
Me trae un café, por favor. – Bring me a coffee, please
Quiero el arroz con pollo.- I want the rice and chicken.
More examples:
Yo te amo – I love you (to love – amar)
Él no habla – He does not speak (to speak – hablar)
Mis amigos temen – My friends fear (to fear – temer)
¿Hablas Español? – Speak Spanish? (to speak – hablar)
Ella bebe té en el desayuno. – She drinks tea at breakfast (to drink – beber)
El gato sólo come pescado. – The cat only eats fish (to eat – comer)
Ellos ven la televisión regularmente. – They watch television regularly (to watch – ver)
Read more about the Spanish conjugations
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