Learning a new language can be challenging, but breaking it down into manageable pieces can make the process a lot more enjoyable and effective. If you’re learning Spanish, mastering common verbs is a great way to fast-track your communication skills. In this guide, we will explore the 100 most common Spanish verbs, how to use them, and some helpful tips for remembering them. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up on your skills, this guide will serve as a useful resource.
Why Focus on Verbs?
Verbs are the backbone of any language. They allow you to express actions, emotions, desires, and thoughts. In Spanish, as in English, a verb must change its form to indicate who is doing the action and when it is happening. Understanding how verbs work and knowing the most commonly used ones will drastically improve your ability to communicate. By learning these 100 common verbs, you’ll be able to understand and construct many everyday sentences.
Key Concepts to Remember Before We Dive In:
- Infinitive Form: This is the base form of the verb, such as "hablar" (to speak) or "comer" (to eat).
- Conjugation: In Spanish, verbs change depending on who is performing the action (the subject) and the tense (past, present, or future). For example, "hablar" becomes "hablo" (I speak) in the present tense.
- Regular vs. Irregular Verbs: Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern when conjugated, while irregular verbs have unique changes that need to be memorized.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the 100 most common Spanish verbs.
The Top 100 Most Common Spanish Verbs
Here’s a list of 100 common Spanish verbs that will serve as a solid foundation for your language learning journey.
Action Verbs
These verbs are used to describe actions you do on a daily basis.
- Hablar – to speak
- Comer – to eat
- Vivir – to live
- Caminar – to walk
- Correr – to run
- Escribir – to write
- Leer – to read
- Abrir – to open
- Cerrar – to close
- Estudiar – to study
Verbs for Expressing Emotions and Thoughts
Being able to express how you feel or what you think is essential for communicating in any language.
- Amar – to love
- Odiar – to hate
- Gustar – to like
- Pensar – to think
- Creer – to believe
- Sentir – to feel
- Desear – to desire
- Esperar – to hope
- Preocuparse – to worry
- Soñar – to dream
Verbs for Daily Routines
These verbs will help you talk about everyday activities, from morning to night.
- Despertarse – to wake up
- Levantarse – to get up
- Bañarse – to bathe
- Ducharse – to shower
- Vestirse – to get dressed
- Dormir – to sleep
- Descansar – to rest
- Cocinar – to cook
- Limpiar – to clean
- Trabajar – to work
Verbs for Travel and Transportation
Whether you’re talking about a vacation or your daily commute, these verbs are key for discussing travel.
- Conducir – to drive
- Viajar – to travel
- Volver – to return
- Salir – to leave
- Llegar – to arrive
- Subir – to go up
- Bajar – to go down
- Llevar – to carry
- Traer – to bring
- Buscar – to look for
Common Irregular Verbs You Must Know
These verbs are crucial, but they don’t follow the typical conjugation rules. Pay extra attention to them.
- Ser – to be (permanent)
- Estar – to be (temporary)
- Ir – to go
- Tener – to have
- Hacer – to do, to make
- Decir – to say
- Venir – to come
- Poder – to be able to
- Ver – to see
- Dar – to give
Verbs for Communication and Social Interaction
These verbs are essential for discussing how we interact with others.
- Escuchar – to listen
- Mirar – to look at
- Llamar – to call
- Contar – to tell
- Preguntar – to ask
- Responder – to answer
- Enseñar – to teach
- Aprender – to learn
- Ayudar – to help
- Aceptar – to accept
Verbs for Handling Money and Shopping
Discussing purchases, payments, and finances is a big part of daily life.
- Comprar – to buy
- Pagar – to pay
- Vender – to sell
- Ahorrar – to save
- Gastar – to spend
- Deber – to owe
- Prestar – to lend
- Cobrar – to charge
- Costar – to cost
- Cambiar – to change
Verbs for Household Chores
These are useful for describing everyday household tasks.
- Barrer – to sweep
- Lavar – to wash
- Secar – to dry
- Planchar – to iron
- Cortar – to cut
- Ordenar – to tidy up
- Colocar – to place
- Regar – to water (plants)
- Cuidar – to take care of
- Sacar – to take out
Verbs for Discussing Hobbies and Free Time
Talking about hobbies and interests is a great way to connect with others.
- Jugar – to play (games)
- Tocar – to play (an instrument)
- Cantar – to sing
- Bailar – to dance
- Pintar – to paint
- Dibujar – to draw
- Fotografiar – to photograph
- Correr – to run
- Nadar – to swim
- Pescar – to fish
Verbs for Expressing Needs and Obligations
These verbs are useful for discussing responsibilities or things you need.
- Necesitar – to need
- Querer – to want
- Deber – to must, to should
- Poder – to be able to
- Saber – to know
- Conocer – to know (a person or place)
- Olvidar – to forget
- Recordar – to remember
- Permitir – to allow
- Prohibir – to prohibit
Spanish Quiz
Question 1:
What is the infinitive form of the verb "to speak" in Spanish?
a) Comer
b) Ser
c) Hablar
d) Ir
Answer: c) Hablar
Question 2:
Which of the following verbs means "to eat"?
a) Caminar
b) Correr
c) Leer
d) Comer
Answer: d) Comer
Question 3:
Which verb would you use to say "I run" in Spanish?
a) Correr
b) Viajar
c) Nadar
d) Pescar
Answer: a) Correr
Question 4:
What is the Spanish verb for "to sleep"?
a) Despertarse
b) Dormir
c) Cantar
d) Estar
Answer: b) Dormir
Question 5:
Which verb is irregular in Spanish?
a) Estudiar
b) Comer
c) Tener
d) Escuchar
Answer: c) Tener
Question 6:
Which verb is used to express "to go" in Spanish?
a) Hacer
b) Ir
c) Ver
d) Volver
Answer: b) Ir
Question 7:
How do you say "to listen" in Spanish?
a) Mirar
b) Oír
c) Escuchar
d) Aprender
Answer: c) Escuchar
Question 8:
What is the verb "to work" in Spanish?
a) Dormir
b) Trabajar
c) Leer
d) Soñar
Answer: b) Trabajar
Question 9:
Which verb means "to learn" in Spanish?
a) Preguntar
b) Enseñar
c) Aprender
d) Pensar
Answer: c) Aprender
Question 10:
Which verb would you use to say "to buy" in Spanish?
a) Vender
b) Comprar
c) Gastar
d) Pagar
Answer: b) Comprar
