The 50 verbs to learn first, each with a short example sentence and audio.
These 50 verbs come up in everyday conversation all the time. Each one comes with a short sentence. Press play to hear the verb and the sentence.
| Verb | Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|
| ser (to be) | Soy de Texas. | I am from Texas. |
| estar (to be) | Estoy en casa. | I am at home. |
| tener (to have) | Tengo dos hijos. | I have two children. |
| hacer (to do, to make) | Hago la cena. | I make dinner. |
| ir (to go) | Voy al trabajo. | I go to work. |
| poder (can, to be able to) | ¿Puedes venir? | Can you come? |
| decir (to say) | Digo la verdad. | I tell the truth. |
| ver (to see) | Veo una película. | I watch a movie. |
| dar (to give) | Te doy mi número. | I give you my number. |
| saber (to know a fact) | No sé la respuesta. | I don't know the answer. |
| Verb | Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|
| querer (to want) | Quiero un café. | I want a coffee. |
| llegar (to arrive) | Llego a las ocho. | I arrive at eight. |
| pasar (to pass, to happen) | ¿Qué pasa? | What is happening? |
| deber (must, should) | Debes descansar. | You should rest. |
| poner (to put) | Pongo el libro en la mesa. | I put the book on the table. |
| parecer (to seem) | Parece fácil. | It seems easy. |
| quedar (to stay) | Me quedo aquí. | I am staying here. |
| creer (to believe) | Creo que sí. | I think so. |
| hablar (to speak) | Hablo un poco de español. | I speak a little Spanish. |
| llevar (to carry, to wear) | Llevo una chaqueta. | I am wearing a jacket. |
| Verb | Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|
| dejar (to leave, to let) | Dejo las llaves aquí. | I leave the keys here. |
| seguir (to follow, to continue) | Sigue todo recto. | Keep going straight. |
| encontrar (to find) | No encuentro mi teléfono. | I can't find my phone. |
| llamar (to call) | Te llamo mañana. | I will call you tomorrow. |
| venir (to come) | ¿Vienes con nosotros? | Are you coming with us? |
| pensar (to think) | Pienso en ti. | I think about you. |
| salir (to go out, to leave) | Salgo a las cinco. | I leave at five. |
| volver (to return) | Vuelvo pronto. | I will be back soon. |
| tomar (to take, to drink) | Tomo el autobús. | I take the bus. |
| conocer (to know a person or a place) | Conozco a tu hermana. | I know your sister. |
| Verb | Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|
| vivir (to live) | Vivo en Miami. | I live in Miami. |
| sentir (to feel) | Lo siento. | I am sorry. |
| trabajar (to work) | Trabajo en un banco. | I work in a bank. |
| empezar (to begin) | La clase empieza ahora. | The class starts now. |
| esperar (to wait, to hope) | Espero el tren. | I am waiting for the train. |
| buscar (to look for) | Busco un hotel. | I am looking for a hotel. |
| entrar (to enter) | Entra, por favor. | Come in, please. |
| escribir (to write) | Escribo un correo. | I am writing an email. |
| leer (to read) | Leo el periódico. | I read the newspaper. |
| comer (to eat) | Como a las dos. | I eat at two. |
| Verb | Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|
| beber (to drink) | Bebo mucha agua. | I drink a lot of water. |
| comprar (to buy) | Compro pan cada día. | I buy bread every day. |
| necesitar (to need) | Necesito ayuda. | I need help. |
| ayudar (to help) | ¿Me ayudas? | Will you help me? |
| abrir (to open) | Abre la ventana. | Open the window. |
| cerrar (to close) | Cierra la puerta. | Close the door. |
| aprender (to learn) | Aprendo español. | I am learning Spanish. |
| entender (to understand) | No entiendo. | I don't understand. |
| gustar (to be pleasing) | Me gusta el chocolate. | I like chocolate. |
| dormir (to sleep) | Duermo ocho horas. | I sleep eight hours. |
Ser is for identity and traits. Estar is for location and states.
Soy profesor. (I am a teacher.)
Estoy cansado. (I am tired.)
Saber is for facts and skills. Conocer is for people and places.
Sé nadar. (I know how to swim.)
Conozco Madrid. (I know Madrid.)
Say each sentence in Spanish, then open it to check your answer.
Quiero agua.
Vivo en Texas.
¿Puedes ayudarme?
Necesito un taxi.
Hablamos español.
No entiendo la pregunta.
1. Which verb means to go?
2. "Tengo hambre" uses the verb:
3. Which verb means to know a person?
4. "Quiero" comes from the verb:
5. Which verb means to find?
6. _____ en casa. (location)
7. "Vuelvo pronto" means:
8. Which verb means to understand?
9. "Salir" means:
10. No _____ nadar.
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