vs
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"Va" is a form of "ir", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to go". "Ir a" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to go to". Learn more about the difference between "ir a" and "va" below.
ir a(
eer
ah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to go to
¿Vas a ir a la fiesta el sábado?Are you going to go to the party on Saturday?
Debes ir a la escuela antes de que se haga más tarde.You should go to school before it gets any later.
a. to go
¿Puedes ir a preguntarle a tu hermano si quiere cenar?Can you go and ask your brother if he wants to have dinner?
b. to be going to
Voy a regar el jardín cuando baje el sol.I'm going to water the garden when the sun goes down.
irse a
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
a. to go to
¿Dónde están María y Ana? - Se han ido a la playa.Where are Maria and Ana? - They've gone to the beach.
b. to leave for
¿Cuáles son sus planes? - El lunes nos vamos a Ámsterdam y el martes volaremos a Ciudad del Cabo.What are your plans? - We're leaving for Amsterdam on Monday and we'll fly to Cape Town on Tuesday.
a. to be going to
Me voy a sentar en este banco porque estoy muy cansada.I'm going to sit on this bench because I'm very tired.
ir(
eer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to go
El festival va del primero de abril hasta el primero de mayo.The festival goes from April first to May first.
7. (to have on)
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 be on
Voy por la página 50 de "San Manuel Bueno, mártir".I'm on page 50 of "San Manuel Bueno, Martyr."
11. (to attend)
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.
12. (to appear)
13. (to match)
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.).
irse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
17. (to escape)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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.
18. (to pass away)
19. (to take 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.
