f you’re learning Spanish, you’ve already met the most common irregular verbs like ser, estar, and ir. But did you know there are dozens more? Irregular verbs are the key to moving beyond simple sentences and achieving real fluency. This page is your ultimate guide to the most important Spanish irregular verbs, complete with on-demand conjugation charts.
Unlike regular verbs, which follow predictable patterns, irregular verbs change their stem, ending, or both in various tenses. The good news is that many irregularities group into common types, making them easier to learn.
Why Irregular Verbs are Essential (And How to Learn Them)
Irregular verbs are not rare exceptions; they are some of the most frequently used verbs in the Spanish language. You simply cannot speak Spanish without them. Instead of trying to memorize them all at once, we recommend:
- Focus on the Top 10 first (listed below).
- Learn them in context: Use them in sentences about your own life.
- Practice with patterns: Notice how verbs with similar irregularities (like tener, venir, poner) often follow the same rules.
The Complete List of Essential Irregular Verbs
Below is a categorized list of the most important irregular verbs in Spanish. Use our interactive tool to see the full conjugation for any verb instantly.
The “Big 3” – Absolutely Essential
These are the most common and irregular verbs you must know.
- Ser (to be) – For permanent characteristics.
- Estar (to be) – For temporary states and locations.
- Ir (to go) – For movement and future plans.
→ See the full conjugation for any verb with the Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool
Top Irregular Verbs for Everyday Conversation
This group expands your ability to express yourself dramatically.
- Tener (to have)
- Hacer (to do/make)
- Decir (to say/tell)
- Poder (to be able to)
- Ver (to see)
- Saber (to know)
- Querer (to want)
- Llegar (to arrive)
- Poner (to put)
- Parecer (to seem)
Pro Tip: Verbs like tener, venir, poner, and salir often share similar irregular stems in the future and conditional tenses (e.g., tendr-, vendr-, pondr-, saldr-).
Common Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense
Many verbs are only irregular in the present tense (yo form) or show stem-changes (e.g., e→ie, o→ue). These are sometimes called “boot verbs.”
- Stem-changing e → ie: Pensar, Empezar, Entender, Preferir
- Stem-changing o → ue: Poder, Dormir, Volver, Encontrar
- Stem-changing e → i: Pedir, Servir, Seguir, Repetir
- Irregular “Yo” Form: Conocer (→ conozco), Dar (→ doy), Saber (→ sé)
→ See the full conjugation for any verb with the Conjugation Tool
Key Irregular Past Tense Verbs
The preterite (simple past) tense has its own set of common irregularities.
- Ir and Ser (they are identical in the preterite!)
- Estar, Tener, Andar, Poner, Saber
- Hacer, Venir, Querer, Decir, Traer
How to Use the Conjugation Tool on This Page
We’ve made it easy to master these conjugations without overwhelming tables.
- Find a verb from the lists above that you want to practice.
- Enter it into our conjugation tool at the top or bottom of this article.
- Select the tense you want to focus on (e.g., Present, Preterite, Future).
- Study the chart, create your own example sentences, and practice aloud.
Next Steps in Your Learning Journey
Now that you have this list and tool, your path to mastering irregular verbs is clear. Bookmark this page and use it as a reference whenever you encounter a new irregular verb. Consistent practice is the secret to making these conjugations feel natural.
Ready to test your knowledge? → Spanish Irregular Verbs Conjugation Quiz or continue exploring our grammar guides to deepen your understanding of Spanish tenses.
→ See the full conjugation for any verb with the Conjugation Tool
