Get ready to learn an awesome Spanish language hack! Did you know that when conjugating certain verbs in the simple present, the last vowel in the stem changes from e to i in all forms except for nosotros/nosotras (and also vos and vosotros/vosotras)?
Let’s take the verb repetir (to repeat) as an example. Listen to Hugo, a voice from Chile, read it aloud and get ready to impress your amigos with your newfound language skills!
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo | repito |
| tú | repites |
| usted | repite |
| él ella | repite |
| nosotros nosotras | repetimos |
| ustedes | repiten |
| ellos ellas | repiten |
| vos | repetís |
| vosotros vosotras | repetís |
Let’s Learn Some of Them:
Gael, a voice from Spain, is going to read out some verbs that follow this pattern:
| # | Español | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | despedir | to fire, to say goodbye |
| 2 | freír | to fry |
| 3 | medir | to measure |
| 4 | pedir | to ask for |
| 5 | perseguir | to chAse |
| 6 | reír | to laugh |
| 7 | repetir | to repeat |
| 8 | seguir | to follow/continue |
| 9 | sentir | to feel |
| 10 | servir | to serve |
| 11 | sonreír | to smile |
| 12 | vestir | to dress |
Decir (To Say, To Tell)
The verb decir (to say, to tell) in the present tense has the same stem change as e-i verbs, but it also has a special irregularity in the yo form. Let’s see:
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo | digo |
| tú | dices |
| usted | dice |
| él ella | dice |
| nosotros nosotras | decimos |
| ustedes | dicen |
| ellos ellas | dicen |
| vos | decís |
| vosotros vosotras | decís |
And now, let’s play this game so you learn these verbs in a snap!
