Stem-changing verbs: o → ue and e → i
Two more stem changes that follow the same “boot” shape: o becomes ue, and in some -ir verbs e becomes i.
Theory
Same boot as e → ie: the change happens in yo, tú, él and ellos.
poder, dormir and pedir
| Who | poder | dormir | pedir |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | puedo | duermo | pido |
| tú | puedes | duermes | pides |
| él / ella / usted | puede | duerme | pide |
| nosotros/as | podemos | dormimos | pedimos |
| vosotros/as | podéis | dormís | pedís |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | pueden | duermen | piden |
More verbs like these
| Change | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| o → ue | Vuelvo a casa a las seis. | I come home at six. |
| o → ue | No encuentro mi móvil. | I can’t find my phone. |
| o → ue | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much is it? |
| u → ue | Juego al fútbol. | I play football. |
| e → i | ¿Puede repetir, por favor? | Can you repeat that, please? |
| e → i | Me visto rápido. | I get dressed quickly. |
Same boot again
Change in yo, tú, él, ellos.
podemos, dormimos, pedimos stay regular.
poder + infinitive
= can, to be able to
No puedo ir. = I can’t go.
Polite requests
¿Puedes ayudarme? = Can you help me?
¿Puede repetir, por favor? = Can you repeat that, please?
jugar: the only u → ue
juego, juegas, juega… jugamos = I play, you play, he / she plays… we play
e → i: only -ir verbs
pedir, repetir, servir, vestirse = to ask for, to repeat, to serve, to get dressed
pedir vs preguntar
pedir = to ask for / order
preguntar = to ask a question
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