Basic Verbs

1. ir

   To go

   Usage

   The key motion verb; combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   Highly irregular: voy / va / vamos

2. venir

   To come

   Usage

   Used when a person or a vehicle arrives

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: vengo / viene

3. comer

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   Regular -er verb: como / come

4. beber

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering or declining drinks

   Grammar Note

   Regular -er verb; Latin America often uses "tomar" instead

5. comprar

   To buy

   Usage

   Shopping verb; pair it with the item name

   Grammar Note

   Regular -ar verb: compro / compra

6. ver

   To see

   Usage

   For sightseeing, and for asking to be shown an item

   Grammar Note

   Irregular: veo / ve. To look at deliberately is "mirar"

7. esperar

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for explaining a meeting arrangement

   Grammar Note

   Means both "to wait" and "to hope"

8. Quiero ir

   I want to go

   Usage

   The standard way to state a destination; add a place name

   Grammar Note

   Add a destination; "Quisiera ir" is the politer form

9. Quiero comer

   I want to eat

   Usage

   State what you feel like eating; add the dish name

10. Quiero esto

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at an item and say you would like it

    Grammar Note

    Say it while pointing; "Quisiera esto" is politer

11. No lo necesito

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Decline a bag, a receipt, or anything else you do not need

12. Estoy buscando

    I'm looking for…

    Usage

    Say what you are trying to find, place or object

    Grammar Note

    Present progressive; add what you are looking for

13. Lo tengo

    I have it

    Usage

    States possession; used to confirm tickets or bookings

    Grammar Note

    "Lo" is the masculine direct object; use "La tengo" for a feminine noun

14. No lo tengo

    I don't have it

    Usage

    States you do not have it, e.g. no cash on you

15. Quiero sacar dinero

    I want to withdraw money

    Usage

    State your intent at an ATM or a bank

    Grammar Note

    A cash machine is "el cajero automático"

16. Quiero hacer una reserva

    I want to make a reservation

    Usage

    For booking a table or a room

17. ¿Me puede ayudar?

    Can you help me?

    Usage

    Ask for concrete help: carrying a bag, working a machine

    Grammar Note

    A polite "usted" request; "¿Me podría ayudar?" is softer still

18. Dígame, por favor

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Prefaces a question when you want information

    Grammar Note

    "Dígame" is the "usted" imperative of "decir"; it is also how Spaniards answer the phone

Browse all TravelPhrases languages