Spanish grammar: Verb conjugations

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Just like in English, sentences in Spanish usually contain a verb.

Verbs can be used to describe an action, a feeling or to describe something that is happening.

In Spanish, verbs need to be conjugated - this means the ending of verbs change depending on who is performing them.

Learn about conjugating verbs in Spanish with Burt Bessington

In Spanish there are three groups of verbs - these end in either -ar, -er or -ir.

Here is an example for each group:

-ar-er-ir
- to speak - to drink - to open

Remember that the ending of verbs change depending on who is performing them.

For example, first person verbs (talking about yourself using 'I') end in o.

Let's use those previous examples from each of the three verb group to see this in action:

PronounHablarBeberAbrir
- I - I speak - I drink - I open
- you - you speak - you drink - you open
- he - he speaks - he drinks - he opens
- she - she speaks - she drinks - she opens

Irregular verbs

Some verbs in Spanish don’t follow the same rules as the verbs above - these are called irregular verbs.

Here are some irregular verbs you may recognise:

(to be)

  • - I am Spanish

  • - I am tall

(to have)

  • - I have blue eyes

  • - I have two brothers

(to do or to make)

  • - I do gymnastics

  • - I do my homework

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