e→i

Stem-Changing Verbs E→I

Level 1

Some -ir verbs change their stem vowel from 'e' to 'i' in the present tense for yo, tú, él/ella/usted, and ellos/ellas/ustedes forms.

How It Works

In Spanish, some verbs are called 'stem-changing' or 'boot verbs'. This means the vowel in the verb's stem (the part before the -ar, -er, or -ir ending) changes when you conjugate it in the present tense.

The e→i change is a specific pattern that only happens with -ir verbs. The change occurs in all forms except for nosotros (we) and vosotros (you all, informal in Spain). Because these forms are excluded, if you draw a line around the changed forms in a conjugation chart, it looks like a boot or a shoe!

Let's look at the verb pedir (to ask for, to order):

  • yo pido (I ask for) - e changes to i
  • tú pides (you ask for) - e changes to i
  • él/ella/usted pide (he/she/you ask for) - e changes to i
  • nosotros pedimos (we ask for) - No change
  • vosotros pedís (you all ask for) - No change
  • ellos/ellas/ustedes piden (they/you all ask for) - e changes to i

Common e→i verbs include:

  • servir (to serve)
  • repetir (to repeat)
  • vestir (to dress)
  • medir (to measure)

Examples (5)

  1. Yo pido un café, por favor.

    I'll have a coffee, please.

    Word by Word: I ask-for a coffee, please.

  2. El camarero sirve la comida.

    The waiter serves the food.

    Word by Word: The waiter serves the food.

  3. La profesora repite la lección.

    The teacher repeats the lesson.

    Word by Word: The teacher repeats the lesson.

  4. Nosotros pedimos ayuda cuando la necesitamos.

    We ask for help when we need it.

    Word by Word: We ask-for help when we need it.

    Notice that the 'nosotros' form, 'pedimos', does not have the e→i stem change.

  5. ¿Qué pides tú?

    What are you ordering?

    Word by Word: What ask-for you?

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to make the stem change for the 'boot' forms.

    Yo pedo la cuenta.
    Yo pido la cuenta.

    The verb 'pedir' is an e→i stem-changing verb. The 'yo' form requires the change from 'e' to 'i', so it becomes 'pido', not 'pedo'.

  • Incorrectly applying the stem change to 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'.

    Nosotros sirvimos la cena a las ocho.
    Nosotros servimos la cena a las ocho.

    The 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms are 'outside the boot' and do not change their stem. The 'e' remains, so the correct form is 'servimos'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

e→iLevel 1Stem-Changing Verbs E→I

Learn This First

To learn e→i stem-changing verbs like pedir or servir, you first need to be comfortable with regular -ir verb endings. It is also helpful to understand the general logic of stem-changing verbs (where the vowel changes in all forms except nosotros and vosotros), which is typically introduced first through e→ie or o→ue patterns.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.