Stem-changing verbs: e → ie
In some verbs the e in the stem turns into ie, but not in every form. Learn the “boot” shape and you’ll get them right.
Theory
The change happens in the four forms inside the “boot”: yo, tú, él and ellos.
querer and pensar
| Who | querer | pensar |
|---|---|---|
| yo | quiero | pienso |
| tú | quieres | piensas |
| él / ella / usted | quiere | piensa |
| nosotros/as | queremos | pensamos |
| vosotros/as | queréis | pensáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | quieren | piensan |
Other e → ie verbs
| Verb | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| empezar | La clase empieza a las nueve. | The class starts at nine. |
| cerrar | La tienda cierra a las ocho. | The shop closes at eight. |
| preferir | Prefiero el té. | I prefer tea. |
| entender | No entiendo la pregunta. | I don’t understand the question. |
| perder | Siempre pierdo las llaves. | I always lose my keys. |
The boot
Change in yo, tú, él, ellos.
No change in nosotros, vosotros.
querer + infinitive
= want to
Quiero aprender español. = I want to learn Spanish.
pensar + infinitive
= plan to
Pienso viajar en julio. = I’m planning to travel in July.
empezar a + infinitive
= start to
Empiezo a entender. = I’m starting to understand.
tener and venir too
tienes, tiene, tienen = you have, he / she has, they have
vienes, viene, vienen = you come, he / she comes, they come
…but tengo, vengo with -g.
Endings stay regular
Only the stem changes:
quier-o, quier-es…
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