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"Ir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to go", and "querer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to want". Learn more about the difference between "ir" and "querer" below.
ir(
eer
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to go
Ayer Ana y yo fuimos al cine.Yesterday, Ana and I went to the movies.
a. to go
Por aquí no se va a la estación.This is not the way to go to the station.
a. to be
¿Has ido alguna vez a Chile?Have you ever been to Chile?
a. to go
¿Cómo te van los estudios?How's college going?
a. to go
Los platos van en el armario.Dishes go in the cupboard.
a. to go
El festival va del primero de abril hasta el primero de mayo.The festival goes from April first to May first.
a. to wear
Iba con botas amarillas.She wore yellow boots.
b. to be dressed in (color)
Iba de verde por el día de San Patricio.She was dressed in green for St. Patrick's Day.
a. to work
El portátil va bien.The laptop works well.
b. to run
Mi carro ha ido sin problema durante años.My car has run without an issue for years.
a. to be on
Voy por la página 50 de "San Manuel Bueno, mártir".I'm on page 50 of "San Manuel Bueno, Martyr."
a. to study to be
Mi primo va para cocinero.My cousin is studying to be a cook.
a. to go
Mi hermana va a la primaria al lado de la estación de bomberos.My sister goes to the elementary school next to the firestation.
a. to look
¡Vas muy guapa! Me encanta tu vestido.You look gorgeous! I love your dress.
a. to go with
Esa camisa roja no le va a ese pantalón amarillo.That red shirt doesn't go with those yellow pants.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to go
¡Papá va a cocinar una cena espectacular!Dad is going to cook a wonderful dinner!
a. to be
Voy planificando la fiesta.I am planning the party.
irse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to leave
El alumno se fue de la biblioteca muy tarde.The student left the library very late.
b. to go
¡Vámonos! El camión nos va a dejar.Let's go! The bus is going to leave us behind.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
A la piscina se le fue todo el agua.All the water leaked from the pool.
A la llanta se le fue el aire.The tire went flat.
a. to die
Se nos fue muy joven.He died too young.
a. to go away
Con esta pastilla se te irá el dolor.This pill will make the pain go away.
a. to forget
¿Cómo se llama ese hombre? Lo sabía, pero se me fue.What's that man's name? I knew it, but I forgot.
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querer(
keh
-
rehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to want
Quiero comer chocolate.I want to eat chocolate.
a. to love
Ella todavía te quiere profundamente.She still loves you deeply.
b. to like
El perro te quiere mucho.The dog likes you a lot.
c. to be fond of
Quiero mucho a mis estudiantes.I am very fond of my students.
a. to mean
No sé si quisiste ofenderme, pero lo lograste.I don't know if you meant to offend me, but you did.
b. to try
Hace años que quiero ir a París, pero es demasiado caro.I've been trying to go to Paris for years, but it's too expensive.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. beloved
Llora por el hombre que fue su querer.She cries for the man that was her beloved.
b. love
El primer querer siempre es el más fuerte.First love is always the deepest.
a. love affair
Cuando salió a relucir su querer, el gobernador renunció.When his love affair was exposed, the governor resigned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to want
Estaré en casa todo el fin de semana así que llama cuando quieras.I'll be home all weekend so call when you want.
quererse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to love each other
Dejaron de quererse.They no longer love each other.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to love oneself
Necesitas empezar a quererte más.You need to learn to love yourself more.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.