The structure
The most common way to talk about the future in everyday Spanish is ir (present) + a + infinitive. It matches English "going to".
| Person | ir | + a + infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| yo | voy | a comer |
| tú | vas | a comer |
| él / ella / usted | va | a comer |
| nosotros/-as | vamos | a comer |
| vosotros/-as (Spain) | vais | a comer |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | van | a comer |
Only ir changes. The a is always there, and the second verb stays in the infinitive.
- Voy a llamar a mi madre. — I'm going to call my mother.
- ¿Qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? — What are you going to do this weekend?
- Vamos a ver una película. — We're going to watch a film.
When to use it
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| plans and intentions | Este verano voy a aprender a nadar. — This summer I'm going to learn to swim. |
| predictions based on what you see | Mira las nubes. Va a llover. — Look at the clouds. It's going to rain. |
| something about to happen | ¡Cuidado! Te vas a caer. — Careful! You're going to fall. |
Common time words: mañana (tomorrow), esta noche (tonight), el próximo lunes / el lunes que viene (next Monday), la semana que viene (next week), pronto (soon), dentro de dos días (in two days).
Negatives, questions and pronouns
- No voy a salir esta noche. — I'm not going to go out tonight.
- ¿A qué hora vais a llegar? — What time are you going to arrive?
- Object and reflexive pronouns go before ir or attached to the infinitive. Both are correct:
- Lo voy a comprar. = Voy a comprar*lo.* — I'm going to buy it.
- Me voy a duchar. = Voy a duchar*me.* — I'm going to have a shower.
Vamos a + infinitive can also mean "let's": Vamos a empezar. — Let's begin.
The present for scheduled future
For fixed arrangements and timetables, Spanish often uses the simple present with a time expression:
- El tren sale a las siete. — The train leaves at seven.
- Mañana trabajo hasta las tres. — Tomorrow I'm working until three.
- ¿Vienes a la fiesta el sábado? — Are you coming to the party on Saturday?
Watch out as an English speaker
- Don't use the progressive for the future. English "I'm leaving tomorrow" becomes the present or ir a in Spanish, never estar + gerund. ✗ Estoy saliendo mañana. / ✓ Salgo mañana. / ✓ Voy a salir mañana.
- Don't forget the a. ✗ Voy comer. / ✓ Voy a comer.
- Don't conjugate the second verb. ✗ Vamos a comemos. / ✓ Vamos a comer.
- "Going to go" is fine. ✓ Voy a ir al médico. — I'm going to go to the doctor.
Example dialogue
¿Qué vas a hacer el sábado? — What are you going to do on Saturday?
Voy a visitar a mis abuelos. ¿Y tú? — I'm going to visit my grandparents. And you?
Mi hermano y yo vamos a pintar su piso. — My brother and I are going to paint his flat.
Pues el domingo hacemos una barbacoa. ¿Venís? — Well, we're having a barbecue on Sunday. Are you coming?