What are Spanish ‘Go Verbs’?

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! 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 9 Most Common Go Verbs
• 3 Categories of Go Verbs
• Spanish Go Verbs Practice Quiz

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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

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

Spanish “go 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.

¿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 subjunctive. For example: tener – tenga, decir – digas, venir – vengan, and hacer – hagamos.

Spanish Go Verbs Practice Quiz

Conjugate the verbs in parentheses in the simple present tense.

1. Yo ______ (tener) un dia libre mañana. (I have a free day tomorrow.)

2. Yo me ______ (caer) cuando llevo tacones. (I fall when I wear high heels.)

3. Yo ______ (poner) dos tazas en la mesa para nosotros. (I put two tea cups on the table for us.)

4. Yo ______ (traer) un regalo para el cumpleaños de mi hermana. (I bring a gift for my sister’s birthday.)

5. Zachary ______ (tener) problemas de salud. (Zachary has health problems.)

6. ¿Mi papá ______ (venir) con nosotros? (Is my father coming with us?)

7. La escultura ______ (valer) $1000. (The sculpture is worth $1000.)

8. Yo ______(salir) del trabajo a las 4 pm los martes. (I leave work at 4pm on Tuesdays.)

9. Yo ______ (oír) un ruido de ese cuarto. (I hear a noise from that room.)

10. Yo siempre ______ (hacer) una sopa para la cena. (I always make soup for dinner.)

Click here to see the answer key.

Go Further with Your Spanish Abilities! 

You now have a great list of “go verbs” to get you started with speaking about yourself in the present tense. At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we offer 1-on-1 sessions for adults who need a tailored class to suit their language needs (as well as classes for kids and high schoolers). If you are looking for a native Spanish speaker to practice your new skills with, try a free trial class with one of our experienced, professional teachers! They will answer all your questions and help you skillfully move beyond the “go verbs” into more advanced Spanish territory.  

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
• Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
• 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing
• Master the 18 Spanish Tenses (and Take Our Cheat Sheet With You)
• All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish

Answer Key

1. Tengo

2. Caigo

3. Pongo

4. Traigo

5. Tiene

6. Viene

7. Vale

8. Salgo

9. Oigo

10. Hago