The verb ir, meaning "to go," is one of the most fundamental verbs in Spanish. Not only is it essential for talking about movement, but it also forms a very common and simple structure for expressing the **near future**. This structure is introduced early in A1 Spanish grammar and is used constantly in everyday conversation.

Let's look at the conjugation of ir and how to use it to talk about both where you're going and what you are going to do.

The Verb "Ir" (To Go) - Present Tense

Despite being short, ir is an irregular verb, so its present tense conjugation needs to be memorized:

• Yo voy – I go / I am going
• Tú vas – You (informal) go / are going
• Él/Ella/Usted va – He/She goes / is going / You (formal) go / are going
• Nosotros/Nosotras vamos – We go / are going
• Vosotros/Vosotras vais – You (informal plural - Spain) go / are going
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van – They go / are going / You (formal/informal plural - Latin America, formal plural - Spain) go / are going

When talking about going *to* a place, you use ir a + [destination]. Remember the contraction: a + el becomes al.

Examples of movement:

• Voy a la tienda. – I am going to the store.
• ¿Vas al parque hoy? – Are you going to the park today?
• Ella va a su casa. – She is going to her house.
• Vamos a la playa este fin de semana. – We are going to the beach this weekend.
• ¿A dónde van? – Where are they/you (plural) going?

Using "Ir a + Infinitive" for the Near Future

This is one of the most useful structures for beginners to talk about things happening soon. It's the Spanish equivalent of the English "to be going to + [verb]".

The formula is simple:

• Conjugated form of ir (present tense)
• The preposition a
• An infinitive verb (the action you are going to do)

[Conjugated Ir] + a + [Infinitive Verb]

The infinitive verb remains in its unconjugated form (e.g., `comer`, `estudiar`, `hablar`).

Examples of the Near Future:

• Voy a comer pizza. – I am going to eat pizza.
• ¿Qué vas a estudiar mañana? – What are you going to study tomorrow?
• Él va a trabajar esta noche. – He is going to work tonight.
• Vamos a visitar a mis abuelos. – We are going to visit my grandparents.
  (Using our Spanish family vocabulary!)
• ¿Qué vais a comprar? – What are you (informal plural - Spain) going to buy?
  (Useful for Spanish shopping scenarios!)
• Ellos van a viajar el próximo mes. – They are going to travel next month.

Why This Structure Is So Important for Beginners

The "ir a + infinitive" construction is incredibly valuable because it allows even those new to Spanish to easily express future plans and intentions without needing to learn the future tense conjugations right away. It's understood and widely used by native speakers.

It’s a perfect way to practice your ir conjugations and expand your ability to talk about future activities using verbs you already know.

Practice Using "Ir" and "Ir a + Infinitive"

Integrate the verb ir and the "ir a + infinitive" structure into your daily Spanish practice. Think about where you are going today, tomorrow, or next week, and what you are going to do.

• Where are you going this week? (¿A dónde vas esta semana?)
• What are you going to eat for dinner? (¿Qué vas a comer para la cena?)
• What are you and your friends going to do this weekend? (¿Qué vais a hacer vosotros este fin de semana? or ¿Qué van a hacer ustedes este fin de semana?)

Consistent practice is key to mastering this fundamental structure. Sprachlingua's engaging online Spanish course provides the guided practice and interactive environment you need to comfortably use "ir" and the "ir a + infinitive" future in real conversations.