Ir in Present Tense: Spanish Conjugation, Rules & Examples 2026

If you are learning Spanish, the verb ir is one of the first verbs you need to master. It means “to go” and is used constantly in everyday conversations. You use it when talking about where you are going, where someone else is going, or what you are planning to do.

However, ir conjugation in the present tense can be confusing because ir is an irregular Spanish verb. Unlike many regular  ar verbs, it does not follow the normal pattern. For example, instead of adding standard endings to ir, you need to learn forms such as voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, and van.

The good news is that there are only six main present tense forms to learn. Once you know them, you can use ir in hundreds of useful sentences.

In this guide, you will learn the present tense conjugation of ir, its sentence structure, practical uses, common mistakes, examples, comparisons, and exercises. You will also learn how ir + a + infinitive is used to talk about future plans.

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Quick Answer

The Spanish verb ir means “to go.” In the present tense, it is conjugated as voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, and van.

Subject	Present Tense
Yo	voy
Tú	vas
Él/Ella/Usted	va
Nosotros/as	vamos
Vosotros/as	vais
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	van

Example:
Yo voy a la escuela. = I go to school / I am going to school.

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What Is Ir Conjugation Present Tense?

Ir conjugation present tense refers to the different forms of the Spanish verb ir when talking about actions that happen in the present.

The verb ir means “to go.”

Unlike regular Spanish verbs, ir is completely irregular in the present tense. Its forms do not look like the infinitive, so you need to memorize them.

The six main forms are:

• yo voy — I go / I am going
• tú vas — you go / you are going
• él va — he goes / he is going
• ella va — she goes / she is going
• usted va — you go / you are going
• nosotros vamos — we go / we are going
• vosotros vais — you all go / you all are going
• ellos van — they go / they are going
• ustedes van — you all go / you all are going

For example:

Yo voy al trabajo.
I go to work. / I am going to work.

Ella va a Madrid.
She is going to Madrid.

Nosotros vamos al parque.
We are going to the park.

The present tense of ir can describe a current movement, a regular destination, or a planned action depending on the context.

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Structure of Sentences of Ir Conjugation Present Tense

The basic sentence structure is simple.

Affirmative Sentences

The basic pattern is:

Subject + conjugated ir + destination/place

Examples:

• Yo voy a la escuela. — I go to school.
• Tú vas al mercado. — You go to the market.
• Ella va a casa. — She goes home.
• Nosotros vamos al parque. — We go to the park.
• Ellos van a Madrid. — They go to Madrid.

The subject can often be omitted because the verb form already tells us who is going.

For example:

Voy a casa.

This means:

I am going home.

You do not always need to say yo.

Negative Sentences

The basic pattern is:

Subject + no + conjugated ir + destination

Examples:

• Yo no voy a la escuela. — I am not going to school.
• Tú no vas al trabajo. — You are not going to work.
• Ella no va al mercado. — She does not go to the market.
• Nosotros no vamos al cine. — We are not going to the cinema.
• Ellos no van a casa. — They are not going home.

The word no normally comes directly before the conjugated verb.

Interrogative Sentences

The basic pattern is:

¿Conjugated ir + subject + destination?

Examples:

• Vas a la escuela? — Are you going to school?
• Va ella al trabajo? — Is she going to work?
• Vamos al cine? — Are we going to the cinema?
• Van ellos al parque? — Are they going to the park?

Spanish questions often use the same words as statements, but punctuation and context show that the sentence is a question.

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Formation of Ir Conjugation Present Tense

The present tense of ir is irregular. It does not follow the normal conjugation pattern of regular  ir verbs.

Instead, you must learn its six forms individually.

Present Tense Forms of Ir

Subject Pronoun	Ir Conjugation	English
Yo	voy	I go / I am going
Tú	vas	You go / You are going
Él	va	He goes / He is going
Ella	va	She goes / She is going
Usted	va	You go / You are going
Nosotros/as	vamos	We go / We are going
Vosotros/as	vais	You all go / You all are going
Ellos/Ellas	van	They go / They are going
Ustedes	van	You all go / You are going

There is no regular ending pattern that can be applied to ir.

For example, you should not try to create forms such as iro or ires. The correct forms are:

voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van

Why Is “Ir” Irregular?

Many Spanish verbs follow predictable patterns. Ir does not.

The infinitive is:

ir

But the first person singular form is:

voy

The second person singular is:

vas

And the third person singular is:

va.

Because these forms are quite different from ir, beginners usually need to memorize them through repetition and practice.

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How to Use Ir Conjugation Present Tense

The present tense of ir has several important uses.

1. Talking About Going Somewhere

The most basic use is to talk about movement from one place to another.

Examples:

• Voy a la escuela. — I am going to school.
• Vas al banco. — You are going to the bank.
• Ella va al supermercado. — She is going to the supermarket.
• Vamos al restaurante. — We are going to the restaurant.
• Ellos van a casa. — They are going home.

The destination is often introduced with a, meaning “to.”

2. Talking About Regular Destinations

Ir can describe places someone regularly goes.

Examples:

• Voy al gimnasio todos los días. — I go to the gym every day.
• Ella va a la universidad. — She goes to university.
• Vamos al parque los domingos. — We go to the park on Sundays.
• Mis padres van al trabajo temprano. — My parents go to work early.

Time expressions help make the meaning clear.

3. Talking About Current Movement

The present tense can describe something happening now.

For example:

Voy a casa.

Depending on context, this can mean:

I am going home.

Similarly:

Adónde vas?

means:

Where are you going?

A natural answer is:

Voy al supermercado.

4. Talking About Future Plans

One of the most useful structures with ir is:

ir + a + infinitive

This structure is commonly used to talk about the near future or planned actions.

Examples:

Voy a estudiar.
I am going to study.

Vas a comer.
You are going to eat.

Ella va a trabajar.
She is going to work.

Vamos a viajar.
We are going to travel.

Van a comprar una casa.
They are going to buy a house.

Notice that the second verb stays in the infinitive form.

For example:

Voy a estudiar.

Not:

Voy a estudio.

The structure is:

Conjugated ir + a + infinitive

5. Talking About Plans

The same structure is useful for personal plans.

Examples:

• Voy a cocinar esta noche. — I am going to cook tonight.
• Vamos a visitar a nuestros amigos. — We are going to visit our friends.
• Ella va a estudiar español. — She is going to study Spanish.
• Van a jugar fútbol mañana. — They are going to play soccer tomorrow.

This is one of the most common uses of ir in everyday Spanish.

6. Asking Where Someone Is Going

Use ¿Adónde…? when asking where someone is going.

Examples:

Adónde vas?
Where are you going?

Adónde va él?
Where is he going?

Adónde vamos?
Where are we going?

Adónde van ustedes?
Where are you all going?

You can answer with:

Voy al trabajo.

or:

Vamos al restaurante.

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Structure or Verb Pattern Table

Use	Pattern	Example
Going Somewhere	ir + a + place	Voy a la escuela.
Negative	no + ir + a + place	No voy al banco.
Question	¿ir + subject + place?	¿Vas al mercado?
Future Plan	ir + a + infinitive	Voy a estudiar.
Regular Action	ir + destination + time	Voy al gimnasio cada día

Remember that a can be followed by el, which contracts to al.

For example:

a + el = al

So:

Voy a el parque ❌

becomes:

Voy al parque. ✅

But before feminine nouns with la, there is no contraction:

Voy a la escuela.

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Real Life Examples

Here are practical examples you may hear or use in everyday Spanish.

Everyday Statements

• Voy a casa después del trabajo. — I am going home after work.
• Tú vas a la escuela temprano. — You go to school early.
• Ella va al supermercado. — She is going to the supermarket.
• Nosotros vamos al cine esta noche. — We are going to the cinema tonight.
• Ellos van al parque. — They are going to the park.
• Mi hermano va a la universidad. — My brother goes to university.

Negative Examples

• No voy al gimnasio hoy. — I am not going to the gym today.
• No vas a la escuela mañana. — You are not going to school tomorrow.
• Ella no va al trabajo hoy. — She is not going to work today.
• No vamos al restaurante. — We are not going to the restaurant.
• Ellos no van a Madrid. — They are not going to Madrid.

Questions

• Vas al trabajo? — Are you going to work?
• Va ella a la escuela? — Is she going to school?
• Vamos al cine? — Are we going to the cinema?
• Van ustedes al restaurante? — Are you going to the restaurant?
• Adónde vas? — Where are you going?

Future Plans

• Voy a estudiar esta noche. — I am going to study tonight.
• Vas a aprender español. — You are going to learn Spanish.
• Ella va a cocinar. — She is going to cook.
• Vamos a viajar mañana. — We are going to travel tomorrow.
• Van a comprar un coche. — They are going to buy a car.

Short Conversation

Ana: Adónde vas?

Luis: Voy al supermercado.

Ana: Vas a comprar comida?

Luis: Sí, voy a comprar frutas y verduras.

This short conversation shows two common uses of ir: going somewhere and talking about a future action.

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Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using a Regular Ending

Incorrect:

Yo iro a la escuela.

Correct:

Yo voy a la escuela.

Ir is irregular, so voy is the correct first person form.

Mistake 2: Using “Yo va”

Incorrect:

Yo va al trabajo.

Correct:

Yo voy al trabajo.

Voy goes with yo.

Mistake 3: Using “Tú voy”

Incorrect:

Tú voy al mercado.

Correct:

Tú vas al mercado.

Vas is the present tense form for tú.

Mistake 4: Forgetting “A” Before a Destination

Incorrect:

Voy la escuela.

Correct:

Voy a la escuela.

When expressing movement toward a destination, ir commonly uses a.

Mistake 5: Forgetting the Contraction “Al”

Incorrect:

Voy a el banco.

Correct:

Voy al banco.

Remember:

a + el = al

Mistake 6: Conjugating the Second Verb

Incorrect:

Voy a estudio.

Correct:

Voy a estudiar.

After ir + a, the second verb stays in the infinitive.

Mistake 7: Confusing “Vamos” With “Van”

Incorrect:

Nosotros van al parque.

Correct:

Nosotros vamos al parque.

Vamos = we go.

Van = they go / you all go.

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Key Grammar Rules

Rule 1: Memorize the Six Main Forms

The present tense of ir is:

voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van

These forms are irregular and should be learned as a set.

Rule 2: Use “A” for a Destination

Use ir + a + place.

Voy a la escuela.

Vamos al parque.

Rule 3: Remember “A + El = Al”

When a comes before el, combine them:

a + el → al

Voy al banco.

Rule 4: Use “Ir + A + Infinitive” for Plans

The pattern is:

conjugated ir + a + infinitive

Voy a estudiar.

Vamos a viajar.

Rule 5: Put “No” Before the Conjugated Verb

No voy al trabajo.

Ella no va al mercado.

Rule 6: Match the Verb With the Subject

Use:

• yo → voy
• tú → vas
• él/ella/usted → va
• nosotros → vamos
• vosotros → vais
• ellos/ellas/ustedes → van

Rule 7: “Ir” Is Different From “Ser”

Both ir and ser have forms such as fui in the preterite, but their meanings are different. Always use the context to determine which verb is intended.

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Comparisons with Similar Grammar Forms

Ir vs. Venir

Ir means to go.

Voy a la escuela.
I am going to school.

Venir means to come, usually toward the speaker or a reference point.

Vengo a tu casa.
I am coming to your house.

A simple way to remember the difference:

ir = go
venir = come

Ir vs. Llegar

Ir focuses on the movement or act of going.

Voy al aeropuerto.
I am going to the airport.

Llegar focuses on arriving.

Llego al aeropuerto a las ocho.
I arrive at the airport at eight.

Ir + A + Place vs. Ir + A + Infinitive

This is an especially important distinction.

Ir + a + place means going somewhere:

Voy a la biblioteca.
I am going to the library.

Ir + a + infinitive expresses a future plan:

Voy a estudiar.
I am going to study.

The word after a helps you understand the structure.

Place:
Voy a la biblioteca.

Verb:
Voy a estudiar.

Present Ir vs. Simple Future

Spanish can express future actions in different ways.

Ir + a + infinitive:

Voy a estudiar mañana.

This means:

I am going to study tomorrow.

The simple future uses a future tense form:

Estudiaré mañana.

This means:

I will study tomorrow.

For beginners, ir + a + infinitive is especially useful for talking about plans and intentions.

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Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct present tense form of ir.

1. Yo ______ a la escuela.
2. Tú ______ al supermercado.
3. Ella ______ al trabajo.
4. Nosotros ______ al cine.
5. Ellos ______ al parque.
6. Usted ______ a la oficina.
7. Vosotros ______ a Madrid.
8. Ustedes ______ a casa.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Answer

1. Yo ___ al banco.
   a) vas
   b) voy
   c) va
2. Tú ___ a la escuela.
   a) voy
   b) van
   c) vas
3. Ella ___ al supermercado.
   a) va
   b) vas
   c) voy
4. Nosotros ___ al parque.
   a) van
   b) vamos
   c) vais
5. Ellos ___ a casa.
   a) van
   b) voy
   c) vais

Exercise 3: Complete the Future Plan

Use the correct form of ir plus the infinitive in parentheses.

1. Yo ______ a ______. (estudiar)
2. Tú ______ a ______. (cocinar)
3. Ella ______ a ______. (trabajar)
4. Nosotros ______ a ______. (viajar)
5. Ellos ______ a ______. (comer)

Exercise 4: Correct the Mistakes

1. Yo va a la escuela.
2. Tú voy al trabajo.
3. Nosotros van al cine.
4. Voy a el mercado.
5. Ella va a estudia.
6. Yo iro a casa.

Exercise 5: Translate Into Spanish

1. I am going to school.
2. She is going to the market.
3. We are going to travel.
4. They are going to the park.
5. Are you going to work?
6. I am not going home.

Answer Key

Exercise 1

1. voy
2. vas
3. va
4. vamos
5. van
6. va
7. vais
8. van

Exercise 2

1. b) voy
2. c) vas
3. a) va
4. b) vamos
5. a) van

Exercise 3

1. Yo voy a estudiar.
2. Tú vas a cocinar.
3. Ella va a trabajar.
4. Nosotros vamos a viajar.
5. Ellos van a comer.

Exercise 4

1. Yo voy a la escuela.
2. Tú vas al trabajo.
3. Nosotros vamos al cine.
4. Voy al mercado.
5. Ella va a estudiar.
6. Yo voy a casa.

Exercise 5

1. Voy a la escuela.
2. Ella va al mercado.
3. Vamos a viajar.
4. Van al parque.
5. ¿Vas al trabajo?
6. No voy a casa.

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FAQs

What is the present tense of “ir” in Spanish?

The present tense forms of ir are:

voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van.

What does “ir” mean in Spanish?

Ir means “to go.”

Example:

Voy a casa.
I am going home.

Is “ir” a regular or irregular verb?

Ir is an irregular Spanish verb.

 Its present tense forms do not follow the normal pattern of regular  ir verbs.

What is “yo” form of ir?

The yo form is voy.

Yo voy al trabajo.

What is the “tú” form of ir?

The tú form is vas.

Tú vas a la escuela.

What is the “nosotros” form of ir?

The nosotros form is vamos.

Nosotros vamos al parque.

What is the “ellos” form of ir?

The ellos form is van.

Ellos van a casa.

How do you use ir for the future?

Use:

ir + a + infinitive

For example:

Voy a estudiar.

This means:

I am going to study.

What is the difference between “voy” and “vamos”?

Voy means I go / I am going and is used with yo.

Vamos means we go / we are going and is used with nosotros/as.

Why is “a” used after ir?

The preposition a commonly introduces the destination of movement.

Voy a Madrid.

It is also part of the future structure:

Voy a estudiar.

What is “ir al” in Spanish?

Al is the contraction of a + el.

Voy al banco.

It means:

I am going to the bank.

Can the subject pronoun be omitted?

Yes. Spanish often allows the subject pronoun to be omitted because the verb form shows who is performing the action.

Instead of:

Yo voy a casa.

You can simply say:

Voy a casa.

Both are correct.

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Conclusion

Learning the ir conjugation in the present tense is essential for Spanish beginners because ir is one of the most common verbs in everyday communication. The verb means “to go” and has six main present tense forms: voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, and van.

The most important thing is to remember that ir is irregular, so its forms must be learned through practice. Use ir + a + place when talking about destinations, such as Voy a la escuela. Use ir + a + infinitive when talking about future plans, such as Voy a estudiar.

Pay special attention to common mistakes such as using iro, confusing voy and vas, forgetting a, or changing the second verb after ir + a. With regular practice, these forms will become natural. Start by memorizing the six conjugations and then build simple sentences about places you visit and things you plan to do.