Ir + a + Infinitive: Spanish A1 Beginner’s Guide
◄ Back to A1 Grammar Hub | Practice with Ir + a Quiz ►
Key Takeaways
- Master the “ir + a + infinitive” structure for future plans
- Learn to express immediate future and intentions
- Understand the conjugation of verb “ir” (to go)
- Practice with real-life scenarios and common verbs
Introduction to Ir + a + Infinitive
The “ir + a + infinitive” structure is your gateway to talking about the future in Spanish! It’s the equivalent of “going to” in English and is used constantly in everyday conversation. This simple formula lets you express plans, intentions, and predictions about the immediate future.
The Basic Structure
Formula:
ir (conjugated) + a + infinitive verb
Examples:
- “Voy a estudiar español.” (I’m going to study Spanish.)
- “Vas a trabajar mañana.” (You’re going to work tomorrow.)
- “Vamos a comer en un restaurante.” (We’re going to eat at a restaurant.)
Conjugation of Ir (to go)
Present Tense Conjugation:
- yo voy (I go)
- tú vas (you go)
- él/ella/usted va (he/she/you goes)
- nosotros vamos (we go)
- vosotros vais (you all go)
- ellos/ustedes van (they/you all go)
Need help with verb conjugations? Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool ► to practice any verb in all tenses.
When to Use Ir + a + Infinitive
Expressing Future Plans:
- “Voy a visitar a mi familia.” (I’m going to visit my family.)
- “Vamos a viajar a España.” (We’re going to travel to Spain.)
Stating Intentions:
- “Va a estudiar medicina.” (He’s going to study medicine.)
- “Vas a aprender español rápido.” (You’re going to learn Spanish quickly.)
Making Predictions:
- “Va a llover esta tarde.” (It’s going to rain this afternoon.)
- “Van a ganar el partido.” (They’re going to win the game.)
Common Verb Combinations
Daily Activities:
- “ir a trabajar” (to be going to work)
- “ir a estudiar” (to be going to study)
- “ir a comer” (to be going to eat)
- “ir a dormir” (to be going to sleep)
Leisure Activities:
- “ir a ver una película” (to be going to see a movie)
- “ir a visitar amigos” (to be going to visit friends)
- “ir a pasear” (to be going to walk around)
- “ir a comprar” (to be going to shop)
Movement and Travel:
- “ir a viajar” (to be going to travel)
- “ir a caminar” (to be going to walk)
- “ir a correr” (to be going to run)
- “ir a nadar” (to be going to swim)
Time Expressions with Ir + a
Common Time Markers:
- “mañana” (tomorrow)
- “esta tarde” (this afternoon)
- “esta noche” (tonight)
- “este fin de semana” (this weekend)
- “próxima semana” (next week)
Examples with Time:
- “Voy a estudiar esta tarde.” (I’m going to study this afternoon.)
- “Van a viajar próxima semana.” (They’re going to travel next week.)
- “Vamos a celebrar este fin de semana.” (We’re going to celebrate this weekend.)
Forming Questions and Negatives
Questions:
- “¿Vas a ir al cine?” (Are you going to go to the movies?)
- “¿Van a estudiar español?” (Are they going to study Spanish?)
- “¿Qué vas a hacer?” (What are you going to do?)
Negative Sentences:
- “No voy a trabajar hoy.” (I’m not going to work today.)
- “No vamos a viajar este año.” (We’re not going to travel this year.)
- “No va a llover.” (It’s not going to rain.)
Real-Life Usage Examples
Making Plans with Friends:
- “Vamos a ir al cine esta noche.” (We’re going to go to the movies tonight.)
- “¿Vas a venir a la fiesta?” (Are you going to come to the party?)
- “Voy a llamar a María más tarde.” (I’m going to call Maria later.)
Daily Schedule:
- “Voy a trabajar de 9 a 5.” (I’m going to work from 9 to 5.)
- “Vamos a comer a la 1.” (We’re going to eat at 1:00.)
- “Va a estudiar después de clase.” (He’s going to study after class.)
Weekend Plans:
- “Voy a descansar el sábado.” (I’m going to rest on Saturday.)
- “Vamos a visitar a mis abuelos.” (We’re going to visit my grandparents.)
- “Van a practicar deportes.” (They’re going to practice sports.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t forget to conjugate “ir” – “voy a,” not “ir a”
- Don’t use “a” twice – “voy a estudiar,” not “voy a a estudiar”
- Don’t conjugate the second verb – keep it in infinitive form
- Don’t confuse with simple future – ir + a is for immediate future plans
Quick Reference Chart
| Person | Conjugation | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | voy a | Voy a estudiar | I’m going to study |
| tú | vas a | Vas a trabajar | You’re going to work |
| él/ella | va a | Va a comer | He/She’s going to eat |
| nosotros | vamos a | Vamos a viajar | We’re going to travel |
| ellos/ustedes | van a | Van a aprender | They’re going to learn |
Spanish Learning Tools
Practice Made Easy: Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool ► for instant conjugation help with any verb in all tenses.
Continue Learning: Explore more A1 Grammar Guides ► for complete beginner lessons.
Ready to Practice?
Now that you understand ir + a + infinitive, it’s time to test your knowledge!
Need conjugation practice? Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool ► for any verb.
Take our Ir + a Infinitive Quiz ► to practice forming future plans, asking questions, and using this essential structure.
What’s Next in Your A1 Spanish Journey?
◄ Tener Expressions | Basic Commands ►
Need More Detailed Information?
- For advanced usage: Complete Future Tenses Guide ►
- For exam preparation: DELE A1 Future Expressions Guide ►
Remember: Ir + a + infinitive is the most common way to talk about future plans in Spanish. Use it daily, and soon you’ll be making plans in Spanish as naturally as in your native language!
