What is the preterite of ir in Spanish?

Fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron, fully irregular. Used for completed past movement. Fui al cine = I went to the cinema.

Why are the preterites of ir and ser identical?

Both verbs share the same six preterite forms by historical accident. Context (what follows the verb) tells you which is meant, a + place for ir; noun / adjective / date for ser.

When do I use preterite vs. imperfect of ir?

Preterite (fui) for a single completed trip with a defined start / end. Imperfect (iba) for habitual past trips (used to go) or ongoing past actions in progress.

Does ir take a preposition in the preterite?

Yes, ir always takes a (to). Fui a Madrid, fui al cine, fui a verte. Never fui en or fui de for destination.

How can I master the preterite of ir?

Memorize the six forms (same as ser). Practice with travel and errand contexts. Native exposure through Parrot videos cements when fui means went vs. was, context handles it automatically.

Spanish grammar · Intermediate

Preterite of Ir: Conjugation and How to Use It

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

The preterite of ir describes completed past movement: fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron. Identical forms to the preterite of ser, context decides which.

Fui al cine.

I went to the cinema.

What it is

The preterite of ir is fully irregular: fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron. It describes completed past movement, where you went, when. Identical forms to the preterite of ser, with context (a + place) showing it's ir.

Fui al cine ayer (I went to the cinema yesterday), preterite of ir, completed movement to a destination.

How to spot it

Look for fui / fuiste / fue / fuimos / fuisteis / fueron followed by a + place / direction / infinitive.

Fui al supermercado. — I went to the supermarket.
Fuimos a Madrid. — We went to Madrid.
Fueron a verla. — They went to see her.

Always paired with a (to). Fui a + place = ir. Without a (and with a noun / adjective / date), it's ser.

Preterite of Ir Quick Reference

Preterite of ir, fully irregular

Person	Form	Translation
yo	fui	I went
tú	fuiste	you went
él/ella/Ud.	fue	he/she/it went
nosotros	fuimos	we went
vosotros	fuisteis	you all went (Spain)
ellos/ellas/Uds.	fueron	they went

Common Preterite of Ir Examples in Spanish

The preterite of ir in real Spanish contexts:

Completed Trips / Visits

Fui a Madrid el verano pasado.: I went to Madrid last summer.
Fueron a Italia en abril.: They went to Italy in April.
Fuimos al cine ayer.: We went to the cinema yesterday.

Standard for completed travel and visits with a defined endpoint.

Errands / Daily Movement

Fui al supermercado esta mañana.: I went to the supermarket this morning.
Fue al gimnasio antes del trabajo.: He went to the gym before work.

Spanish uses preterite for any bounded past trip, even short, routine ones.

Fui A + Infinitive (Went to Do)

Fui a ver una película.: I went to see a movie.
Fueron a comprar pan.: They went to buy bread.

Ir + a + infinitive = went to + verb, expressing past purpose for the trip.

Same Form as Ser, Context Matters

Fui al concierto. (ir): I went to the concert.
Fui actor por años. (ser): I was an actor for years.

After a + place → ir. After a noun / adjective / date → ser. Same forms, different meanings.

How to Use the Preterite of Ir

Memorize the Six Irregular Forms

No pattern, memorize: fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron. Same forms as preterite of ser.

Fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron.

I went, you went, he/she went, we went, you all went, they went.

No accents anywhere. Don't add them.

Use for Completed Past Movement

Preterite of ir describes ANY past trip with defined start and end points, long or short.

Fui a la tienda. Fui a México el año pasado.

I went to the store. I went to Mexico last year.

Use preterite when the trip is over. Use imperfect (iba) for repeated past trips (used to go).

Disambiguate from Ser by Context

Same forms as ser. Look at what follows: a + place → ir; noun / adjective / date → ser.

Fui al cine. (ir) Fui un buen amigo. (ser)

I went to the cinema. I was a good friend.

Always check the structure after the verb. Spanish speakers parse this automatically.

Don't Confuse with Imperfect (Iba)

Preterite (fui) = single completed trip. Imperfect (iba) = used to go (habitual) or was going (in progress).

Fui al gimnasio ayer. (one trip) Iba al gimnasio todos los días. (habit)

I went to the gym yesterday. I used to go to the gym every day.

If it happened ONCE or had clear bounds, preterite. If it was a repeated routine, imperfect.

Common Mistakes with Preterite of Ir

Incorrect: Yo fué al cine. — I went to the cinema.

Correct: Yo fui al cine. — I went to the cinema.

Preterite of ir has NO accents in any form. Fui, fue, fueron, none of them carry accents.

Incorrect: Iba al cine ayer. — I went to the cinema yesterday.

Correct: Fui al cine ayer. — I went to the cinema yesterday.

For a single completed past trip (ayer = yesterday), use preterite (fui), not imperfect (iba). Iba is for habits or ongoing past actions.

Incorrect: Fui en Madrid. — I went to Madrid.

Correct: Fui a Madrid. — I went to Madrid.

Ir takes a (to), not en (in). Fui a Madrid, never Fui en Madrid.

Same Forms as Preterite of Ser

Context Disambiguates

The preterite of ir and ser share all six forms. What follows the verb tells you which meaning.

Fui a la fiesta. (ir, a + place): I went to the party.
Fui feliz. (ser, adjective): I was happy.
Fue mi cumpleaños. (ser, noun): It was my birthday.
Fue al hospital. (ir, a + place): He went to the hospital.

Quick test: is there a + a place? It's ir. Is there a noun / adjective / date? It's ser.

Preterite of Ir FAQs

What is the preterite of ir in Spanish?: Fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron, fully irregular. Used for completed past movement. Fui al cine = I went to the cinema.
Why are the preterites of ir and ser identical?: Both verbs share the same six preterite forms by historical accident. Context (what follows the verb) tells you which is meant, a + place for ir; noun / adjective / date for ser.
When do I use preterite vs. imperfect of ir?: Preterite (fui) for a single completed trip with a defined start / end. Imperfect (iba) for habitual past trips (used to go) or ongoing past actions in progress.
Does ir take a preposition in the preterite?: Yes, ir always takes a (to). Fui a Madrid, fui al cine, fui a verte. Never fui en or fui de for destination.
How can I master the preterite of ir?: Memorize the six forms (same as ser). Practice with travel and errand contexts. Native exposure through Parrot videos cements when fui means went vs. was, context handles it automatically.