ES - AR Verbs (Lesson)
AR Verbs
In Spanish there are 3 different types of verbs in the infinitive; -AR, -ER, and -Ir verbs. These all refer to the endings of the verbs or literally the last 2 letters of the verb in the infinitive form.
For example:
In this lesson, you will begin by learning about "-ar" verbs. We will learn about "-er/-ir" verbs later in another lesson.
Here are the endings for regular -ar verbs in Spanish. *Note: you may need to review this chart in the section on subject pronouns
As mentioned above, the steps to conjugating a verb (or changing the verb to tell who is doing the action) are as follows:
- You have a verb in the infinitive (example: hablar = to talk)
- Decide who is doing the action. In this case, we will say "ella" (she)
- Look at the chart above and locate that pronoun on the chart
- Take the "-ar" ending off of the verb; what remains is called the "root" or "stem"
- Habl-
- Add the ending based on the chart above (-a)
- Habl- + -a = HABLA (Ella habla = she talks)
- *NOTE: you will not always have a pronoun in your sentence. As you get better at conjugating verbs and writing sentences in Spanish you will see names, things, etc so you will have to do more thinking. For example, Juanita is one girl so that would be the same as "ella".
**( To say "I don't," or "do not," or "am not (verb) ing" .....just put "no" before the verb:
No charlo durante las clases. = I don't chat in class
No duermo en las clases = I don't sleep in classes.
Below are some examples of sentences using conjugated "-ar" verbs in the "yo" form:
|
English |
Spanish |
|---|---|
|
I listen to my teacher. |
Escucho a mi profesor. |
|
I arrive at school on time. |
Llego a la escuela a tiempo. |
|
I need to study more. |
Necesito estudiar más. |
|
I should (ought) to go to sleep now. |
Debo dormir ahora. |
|
I draw when I study. |
Dibujo cuando studio |
|
I give presents to my friends. |
Les doy regalos a mis amigos. |
|
If I do not understand, I ask questions. |
Si no comprendo, hago preguntas. |
|
I write in English class. |
Escribo en la clase de ingles. |
|
I get up early every day. |
Levanto temprano cada día. |
|
I like to read. |
Me gusta leer. |
Here's an important fact about seeing a Spanish verb and needing to know what it means in English. We will use the verb forms that you just created:
- "Escribo" translates into English as I write, I am writing, I do write.
- "Comprendo" translates into English as I understand, I am understanding, I do understand.
- "Pregunto" translates into English as I ask, I am asking, I do ask.
Let's practice! Match the English to the Spanish.
Escuchar (Listening) Práctica
To get more practice and test your knowledge complete the activity below. Listen to the recording and answer the questions. Listen as many times as necessary.
Questions:
- Susana _______________________
- 1a clase _____________________________________________
- 2a clase _____________________________________
- 3a clase _____________________________________
- 4a clase _____________________________________
- almuerzo ____________________________________
- What country is Susana from? __________________
- Why is math her favorite class? _________________________
- What is she learning to do in her English class? ________________
- What does she like to do at lunch? _____________________
Click here to check your answers. Links to an external site.
Ser + Adjectives Mini-lesson
You have already learned the forms of the verb "ser" and how to use it to describe.
Here's a review of the forms of the verb "ser".
Here are a few reminders about using adjectives en español:
- Adjectives come AFTER the noun in Spanish.
- English: the white shirt
- Spanish: la camisa blanca (the shirt white)
- Adjectives have NUMBER and GENDER
- El perro blanco (singular, masculine)
- Los perros blancos (plural, masculine)
- La camisa blanca (singular, feminine)
- Las camisas blancas (plural, feminine)
RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.