DELE A1 Guide: Present Tense Irregular Verbs
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Key Takeaways
- Learn essential irregular verbs for DELE A1
- Master common irregular verb patterns
- Understand yo-form irregularities
- Learn stem-changing verb basics
- Essential for DELE A1 daily conversations
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish irregular verbs in the present tense, crucial for basic communication on the DELE A1 exam. While regular verbs follow patterns, these essential verbs have their own unique conjugations you need to master.
What are Irregular Verbs?
Irregular verbs are verbs that don’t follow the standard -AR, -ER, -IR conjugation patterns in the present tense. They may have stem changes, ending changes, or completely unique forms. These are among the most frequently used verbs in Spanish.
Essential Irregular Verbs Chart
Completely Irregular Verbs
| Verb | Yo | Tú | Él/Ella/Usted | Nosotros | Ellos/Ellas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ser (to be) | soy | eres | es | somos | son |
| Estar (to be) | estoy | estás | está | estamos | están |
| Ir (to go) | voy | vas | va | vamos | van |
| Tener (to have) | tengo | tienes | tiene | tenemos | tienen |
| Venir (to come) | vengo | vienes | viene | venimos | vienen |
DELE A1 Tip: Focus on mastering Ser, Estar, Ir, and Tener first. These are the most essential irregular verbs and appear constantly in the A1 exam.
Yo-Form Irregular Verbs
Common Yo-Form Irregularities
| Verb | Yo Form | Other Forms | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hacer (to do/make) | hago | haces, hace, hacemos | Yo hago la comida |
| Poner (to put) | pongo | pones, pone, ponemos | Yo pongo la mesa |
| Salir (to leave) | salgo | sales, sale, salimos | Yo salgo a las cinco |
| Traer (to bring) | traigo | traes, trae, traemos | Yo traigo el libro |
| Conocer (to know) | conozco | conoces, conoce, conocemos | Yo conozco Madrid |
Stem-Changing Verbs (Introduction)
Basic Stem Change Patterns
| Pattern | Verb | Yo | Tú | Él/Ella | Nosotros | Ellos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e → ie | querer (to want) | quiero | quieres | quiere | queremos | quieren |
| o → ue | poder (to be able to) | puedo | puedes | puede | podemos | pueden |
| e → i | pedir (to ask for) | pido | pides | pide | pedimos | piden |
Common Irregular Verbs in Context
Daily Routine Examples
- Tengo que trabajar (I have to work)
- Voy al supermercado (I go to the supermarket)
- Hago ejercicio por la mañana (I exercise in the morning)
- Salgo de casa a las ocho (I leave home at eight)
Personal Information Examples
- Soy estudiante (I am a student)
- Tengo veinte años (I am twenty years old)
- Vivo en Madrid (I live in Madrid)
- Estoy contento (I am happy)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Describe yourself: “Soy alto y tengo pelo negro”
- Talk about abilities: “Puedo hablar español”
- Express desires: “Quiero visitar México”
- Discuss routines: “Salgo de casa temprano”
Writing Section Examples
- Write about your daily activities
- Describe what you can do
- Talk about your family and possessions
- Write about your preferences
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Regularizing irregular verbs: ❌ “yo sabo” ✅ “yo sé“
- Confusing ser/estar: ❌ “yo estoy estudiante” ✅ “yo soy estudiante”
Essential Irregular Verb Expressions
Common Fixed Expressions
- tener que + infinitive (to have to)
- ir a + infinitive (to be going to)
- poder + infinitive (to be able to)
- querer + infinitive (to want to)
Example Expressions
- Tengo que estudiar (I have to study)
- Voy a trabajar (I am going to work)
- Puedo ayudar (I can help)
- Quiero aprender (I want to learn)
Practice with Our Free Spanish Tools
Master irregular verbs with our interactive conjugation tool:
Click here to open our Spanish Conjugation Tool!
Practice all the irregular forms and get instant feedback.
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of irregular verbs?
Take our DELE A1 Irregular Verbs Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more verbs? Study Reflexive Verbs Guide
- Need regular verb practice? Review Present Tense Regular Verbs
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
