What are YO GO verbs? In basic terms, this term refers to a list of irregular verbs that, when conjugated in the present indicative, always end in “go” in the first person (yo) form. These are examples of conjugated verbs that exhibit irregular conjugations.
Do you know what Spanish “go verbs” are? What about “yo-go” verbs?
These two terms actually mean the same thing—they refer to a category of irregular Spanish verbs. When conjugated in the present indicative, these verbs end in -go in the first person (yo) form.
For example:
Yo hago mi tarea. (hacer)I do my homework.
Yo pongo mi cuaderno en el escritorio. (poner)I put my notebook on the desk.
Tengo dos hermanas. (tener)I have two sisters.
Keep reading to learn all about the “go verbs” and how to use them to speak about yourself in the present tense!
Understanding YO-GO Verbs
YO-GO verbs are a fascinating category of irregular verbs in Spanish that end in “go” in the first person singular (yo) form when conjugated in the present indicative. These verbs, also known as “go verbs” or “yo-go verbs,” deviate from the regular conjugation patterns of -ar, -er, and -ir verbs, presenting a unique conjugation pattern specific to each verb.
These verbs are essential in Spanish grammar as they describe actions happening in the present. You’ll encounter them in various contexts, such as daily routines, physical activities, personal experiences, habits, possessions, and even thoughts and opinions. Mastering YO-GO verbs will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
9 Most Common Go Verbs
Even though it means “to go,” the Spanish verb ir is not a “go verb” because its first-person present-tense conjugation is voy.
Here are the 9 most common “go verbs” in Spanish, along with their English translation and first-person present-tense conjugation.
- Decir – to say – digo
- Hacer – to do, to make – hago
- Poner – to put – pongo
- Salir – to leave, to go out – salgo
- Tener – to have – tengo
- Venir – to come – vengo
- Caer – to fall – caigo
- Traer – to bring – traigo
- Oír – to hear – oigo
For example, yo tengo (I have) is the first person singular form of the verb tener.
In some cases, only the yo form changes, whereas some of these verbs are also irregular in other forms.
And did you notice that “go verbs” only include verbs ending in -ir and -er? There’s not an –ar verb to be found in this category!
3 Categories of Go Verbs in First Person Conjugation
Spanish “go verbs,” also known as yogo verbs, fall into three categories. Let’s go through them one by one. Nearly 80 Spanish verbs fall into this category in Spanish, but they’re all derived from the ones listed below.
1. Hacer Go Verbs
The verb hacer is one of the most frequently used “go verbs” in Spanish. We form the following “go verbs” using hacer with a prefix:
- Rehacer – to redo
- Deshacer – to undo
- Contrahacer – to counterfeit
- Satisfacer – to satisfy
Although these prefixes change the meaning of the main verb, the conjugation pattern remains the same as the root verb (hacer).
Example Sentences
Hago mis ejercicios en la tarde.
I’m doing my exercises in the afternoon.
Yo hago mi cama todas las mañanas.
I make my bed every morning.
PRO TIP! The subject yo is optional. It’s not necessary to use the subject in sentences in the first person, since the verb conjugation tells you who the subject is.
Como periodista, rehago mis artículos para que queden perfectos.
As a journalist, I rework my articles to make them perfect.
Yo deshago todo mi trabajo.
I undo all my work.
Contrahago una obra de arte.
I counterfeit a work of art.
Satisfago las necesidades de mis clientes.
I satisfy my customers’ needs.
2. +G Verbs
The second category of “go verbs” in Spanish are conjugated regularly in the present indicative, except for the first person conjugation (yo) form, where you must add a g before the suffix -o.
These verbs include:
- Oír – to hear
- Poner – to put
- Salir – to leave, to go out
- Tener – to have
- Valer – to be worth
- Venir – to come
- Asir – to grasp
The verb poner conjugates to pongo, rather than pono in the first person simple present indicative. Likewise, it’s salgo (not salo) for salir.
Example Sentences
Oigo un ruido raro afuera en el patio.
I hear a strange noise outside in the garden.
Pongo lechuga, zanahoria y cebolla en la ensalada.
I’m putting lettuce, carrots and onions in the salad.
Salgo mañana con mis amigas.
I’m going out with my friends tomorrow.
Tengo tres perros peludos.
I have three furry dogs.
Tengo un perro. (I have a dog.)
¿Cuánto valgo para la organización?
How much am I worth to the organisation?
Yo vengo de la oficina.
I’m coming (home) from the office.
Yo asgo las maletas.
I take the suitcases.
3. -igo Verbs
Lastly, for a few verbs including, we simply add -igo as the first person present tense verb ending. These Spanish verbs include:
- Decir – to say
- Caer – to fall
- Traer – to bring
Example Sentences
Digo la verdad.
I’m telling the truth.
Yo digo lo que pienso es correcto.
I say what I think is right.
¡No caigo en esa trampa!
I’m not falling in that trap!
A veces me caigo bajando las escaleras.
I sometimes fall going downstairs.
Traigo pan de banano y té de menta.
I’m bringing banana bread and mint tea.
Yo traigo mi maleta al aeropuerto.
I bring my suitcase to the airport.
PRO TIP! The yo-go verbs also add the medial -g– (or -ig- when the root ends in a vowel) in the present subjunctivetener – tenga, decir – digas, venir – vengan, and hacer – hagamos
Conjugating YO-GO Verbs in Present Tense
Conjugating YO-GO verbs in the present tense might seem challenging at first, but with practice, you can master their unique conjugation patterns. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process:
- Identify the Verb: First, ensure that the verb you want to conjugate is a YO-GO verb.
- Determine the Subject: Identify the subject of your sentence. Is it “yo” (I), “tú” (you), “él/ella/usted” (he/she/you formal), “nosotros/as” (we), or “vosotros/as” (you plural)?
- Use the Correct Conjugation Pattern: Apply the specific conjugation pattern for the verb. For instance, the verb “hacer” (to do) is conjugated as follows in the present tense:- Yo hago (I do)
- Tú haces (you do)
- Él/ella/usted hace (he/she/you formal does)
- Nosotros/as hacemos (we do)
- Vosotros/as hacéis (you plural do)
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Regular practice is key to becoming comfortable with these conjugation patterns. Try using YO-GO verbs in sentences to reinforce your learning.
Irregular YO-GO Verbs
Some YO-GO verbs are irregular in all forms, while others are only irregular in the yo form. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for correct usage. Here are some examples:
- Hacer (to do): This verb is irregular in all forms, including the yo form.
- Poner (to put): This verb is irregular only in the yo form.
- Tener (to have): This verb is irregular in all forms, including the yo form.
- Decir (to say): This verb is irregular only in the yo form.
- Venir (to come): This verb is irregular in all forms, including the yo form.
Memorizing the conjugation patterns of these irregular YO-GO verbs is essential for using them correctly in sentences. Practice regularly, and soon these patterns will become second nature.
