Family Names in Spanish

These verbs all end with the letters "-er" and are conjugated using the following:
We can use the verb Beber (to drink) to help us see this conjugation in action.
Subject: | Verb ends in: |
Yo | -o |
Tu | -es |
El, Ella, Usted (Ud.) | -e |
Nosotros | -emos |
Vosotros | -eis |
Ellos, Ellas, Ustedes (Uds.) | -en |
BEBER – beh-bear (to drink) | BEB + ending |
Subject: | Verb Conjugation: |
Yo | Bebo |
Tu | Bebes |
El, Ella, Ud. | Bebe |
Nosotros | Bebemos |
Vosotros | Bebeis |
Ellos, Ellas, Uds. | Beben |
Now that you see the pattern, you can conjugate almost any verb that you come across that ends in 'er".
EXERCISE
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
- Yo __ (beber) zumo de frutas. (I drink fruit juice.)
- Tu __ (beber) aqua. (I drink water.)
- Nosotros _ (comer) pizza. – pee-sah (I eat pizza.)
- Vosotros _ (aprender) espanol. (You [all] learn Spanish.)
- Uds. _ (deber) estudiar espanol. (You [all -formal] must have to learn Spanish.
Answers: 1. bebo 2. bebes; 3.comemos; 4. aprendeis; 5. Deben
*Notice how a conjugated verb + another verb (as in number 5 above) work together. The first verb is the only one conjugated. It is a verb + infinitive. Also, the verb 'tomar" (to take) is usually used when referring to drinking alcoholic beverages.
The 'IR" family of verbs:
Subject: | Verb ends in: |
Yo | -o |
Tu | -es |
El, Ella, Usted (Ud.) | -e |
Nosotros | -imos |
Vosotros | -is |
Ellos, Ellas, Ustedes (Uds.) | -en |
We can use the verb VIVIR (to live) to help us see this conjugation in action.
IMPORTANT POINT: Notice how the above conjugations are almost exactly identical to the second family, the 'ER" verbs. Only the nosotros and the vosotros forms are a bit different.
VIVIR – Vee-Virr (to live) | VIV + ending |
Subject: | Verb Conjugation: |
Yo | Vivo |
Tu | Vives |
El, Ella, Ud. | Vive |
Nosotros | Vivimos |
Vosotros | Vivis |
Ellos, Ellas, Uds. | Viven |
Now that you see the pattern, you can conjugate almost any verb that you come across that ends in 'ir".
EXERCISE
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
- Yo _ (escribir) a mi hermano. (I write to my brother.)
- Tu _ (vivir) en San Diego. (You live in San Diego.)
- El __ (decidir) ir a Africa. (He decides to go to Africa.)
- Nosotros _ (abrir) los libros. (We open the books.)
- Ellos _ (recibir) un gato para la Navidad. (They receive a cat for Christmas.)
Answers: 1.escribo; 2. vives; 3. decide; 4. abrimos; 5. reciben
Algunos Verbos para Memorizar (Some verbs to memorize):
Try to conjugate the following verbs on notecards. Use them to practice. Once you have the patter down, you can apply it to almost any regular Spanish verb.
to eat :comer | Ayudar: to help |
to buy: comprar | buscar: to look for |
to work: trabajar | desear: to desire |
to understand: comprender | enviar: to send |
to walk: andar | escuchar: to listen |
to read: leer | to read: leer |
to travel: viajar | tomar: to take, or drink alcholic beverages |
to run: correr | comer: to eat |
to study: estudiar | asistir: to attend |
to learn: aprender | subir: to climb, go up |