vaya/vayas/vaya/vayamos/vayan
Subjunctive of Ir
The present subjunctive of 'ir' is vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan. Use the form matching the subject and the variety you speak.
How It Works
The verb ir (to go) is one of the most common and most irregular verbs in Spanish. Its present subjunctive has the irregular stem 'vay-' with the usual -ER/-IR endings.
Use these forms in contexts such as wishes, commands, emotions, doubt, and impersonal evaluations. An impersonal assertion like 'es cierto que' normally takes indicative, so check the meaning of the whole expression.
Here is the full conjugation:
- (yo) vaya
- (tú) vayas
- (él/ella/usted) vaya
- (nosotros/as) vayamos
- (vosotros/as) vayáis
- (ellos/ellas/ustedes) vayan
Notice that the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms are identical (vaya).
You will frequently see these forms used with common subjunctive triggers:
- Wishes: Quiero que vayas conmigo. (I want you to go with me.)
- Hope: Espero que todo vaya bien. (I hope everything goes well.)
- Necessity: Es necesario que vayamos ahora. (It's necessary that we go now.)
- Doubt: No creo que vayan a la playa. (I don't think they are going to the beach.)
With vos, subjunctive forms vary regionally. For the exhortation 'let's go', vamos is usual and vayamos is also possible; that does not make vamos a replacement for vayamos in every subordinate subjunctive clause.
Examples (5)
- Espero que vayas a la fiesta de cumpleaños.
I hope that you go to the birthday party.
Word by Word: I hope that you-go (subjunctive) to the party of birthday.
- El profesor quiere que vayamos a la biblioteca.
The teacher wants us to go to the library.
Word by Word: The teacher wants that we-go (subjunctive) to the library.
- ¡Ojalá que todo vaya bien en tu examen!
I hope everything goes well on your exam!
Ojalá is a strong expression of hope that always triggers the subjunctive.
- Es importante que usted vaya al médico pronto.
It's important that you (formal) go to the doctor soon.
Word by Word: It is important that you go (subjunctive) to the doctor soon.
- Dudo que ellos vayan de vacaciones este año.
I doubt that they will go on vacation this year.
The verb 'dudar' (to doubt) in the main clause requires the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative form 'vas' instead of the subjunctive 'vayas' after a subjunctive trigger.
Quiero que tú vas a la tienda.Quiero que tú vayas a la tienda.The expression 'quiero que' (I want that...) signals a wish or desire, which requires the use of the subjunctive mood in the following clause. 'Vas' is the indicative form, while 'vayas' is the correct subjunctive form for 'tú'.
Confusing the spelling of 'vaya' (from ir) with the homophones 'valla' (fence) or 'baya' (berry).
Espero que te valla bien.Espero que te vaya bien.Although they sound identical in many regions, these words have different meanings and spellings. 'Vaya' is the verb form. 'Valla' is a noun for a fence or barrier. 'Baya' is a noun for a berry. For the expression 'I hope it goes well for you,' the correct word is 'vaya'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the irregular subjunctive forms of 'ir' (vaya, vayas, etc.), learners should first be familiar with the verb's indicative present tense and the general ending patterns for the present subjunctive of -ER and -IR verbs.
- voy/vas/va/vamos/vanIr Present Tense
Understanding the indicative forms of the irregular verb 'ir' is essential before learning its subjunctive counterparts.
Foundations - -a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Subjunctive -ER/-IR
The subjunctive forms of 'ir' (vaya, vayas, etc.) follow the standard endings for -ER/-IR verbs in the present subjunctive, despite the irregular stem.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- quiero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Wishes
This is a classic trigger for the subjunctive. 'Vaya' and its forms are very commonly used after expressions of wanting or wishing, like 'quiero que'.
Level 3 - espero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Hope
Similar to 'quiero que', expressions of hope like 'espero que' require the subjunctive. You will often use 'vaya' in sentences starting with this phrase.
Level 3 - es importante que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Importance
This is a common impersonal expression that requires the subjunctive. It's a key structure where you'll need to use 'vaya' to talk about the importance of someone going somewhere.
Level 3 - sea/seas/sea/seamos/seanSubjunctive of Ser
This is the present subjunctive of 'ser' (to be), another highly irregular and fundamental verb. Studying them together helps reinforce the concept of irregular subjunctive forms.
Level 3 - ojalá (que) + SubjunctiveOjalá with Subjunctive
'Ojalá' is a strong expression of hope that is always followed by the subjunctive. 'Ojalá que vaya...' (I really hope that he/she/it goes...) is a very common and useful phrase.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice vaya/vayas/vaya/vayamos/vayan in Bubblegum
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