Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Going To in Spanish: Ir A
Ir A · verb phrase · eer ah
The Spanish equivalent of 'going to' is 'ir a,' a verb phrase formed by conjugating the irregular verb 'ir' (to go) followed by the preposition 'a' and an infinitive. This construction expresses near-future actions or intentions and is one of the most frequently used structures in conversational Spanish.
Pronounce 'ir' as eer (rhymes with English 'ear') and 'a' as ah. When conjugated, each form keeps its own stress: VOY ah, VAHS ah, VAH ah, VAH-mohs ah, VAHN ah.
Voy a preparar la cena esta noche.
I am going to prepare dinner tonight.
Going To in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for going to, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ir a | going to | eer ah | Default, widely understood |
| va a | going to | third-person singular conjugation used in everyday speech | |
| voy a | going to | first-person singular form meaning I am going to |
How Native Speakers Use Ir A
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Expressing a plan
Vamos a visitar a mis tíos el domingo.
We are going to visit my uncle and aunt on Sunday.
Sharing weekend plans with friends.
Making a promise
Te voy a llamar en cuanto llegue.
I am going to call you as soon as I arrive.
Reassuring someone before a trip.
Predicting an outcome
Va a llover toda la tarde según el pronóstico.
It is going to rain all afternoon according to the forecast.
Discussing weather predictions.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ir A
Omitting the preposition
Incorrect: Voy comprar pan.
Correct: Voy a comprar pan.
The preposition 'a' is required between the conjugated form of 'ir' and the infinitive to form the near-future construction.
Using the wrong verb conjugation
Incorrect: Ellos ir a estudiar mañana.
Correct: Ellos van a estudiar mañana.
The verb 'ir' must be conjugated to match the subject; 'ellos' requires 'van,' not the infinitive 'ir.'
Lock in Going To Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Ir A used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ir a in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Voy a preparar la cena esta noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Going To in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'ir a' and the simple future tense?
- Using 'ir a' plus an infinitive conveys a sense of immediacy or personal intention, while the simple future (e.g., 'compraré') can sound more formal or express probability.
- Can 'ir a' be used in the past tense?
- Conjugating 'ir' in the imperfect ('iba a') creates a past near-future meaning, such as 'Iba a llamarte' (I was going to call you), indicating an unfulfilled intention.
- Is 'ir a' used in all Spanish-speaking countries?
- Virtually every Spanish-speaking region relies on 'ir a' plus infinitive as the primary way to express near-future actions in daily conversation.