Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Infinitive Verb in Spanish: Verbo en Infinitivo
Verbo En Infinitivo · noun phrase · BEHR-boh en een-fee-nee-TEE-boh
In Spanish, the infinitive verb (verbo en infinitivo) is the unconjugated base form ending in -ar, -er, or -ir, equivalent to the English 'to + verb' form.
BEHR-boh en een-fee-nee-TEE-boh
El infinitivo del verbo es hablar.
The infinitive of the verb is hablar (to speak).
Infinitive Verb in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for infinitive verb, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| verbo en infinitivo | infinitive verb | BEHR-boh en een-fee-nee-TEE-boh | Default, widely understood |
| infinitivo | infinitive verb | short form used in grammar discussions |
How Native Speakers Use Verbo En Infinitivo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Grammar explanation
Los verbos en infinitivo terminan en -ar, -er o -ir.
Infinitive verbs end in -ar, -er, or -ir.
Teaching basic Spanish verb structure.
Using after another verb
Quiero aprender a cocinar.
I want to learn to cook.
Showing infinitives used after conjugated verbs.
As a subject
Correr es un buen ejercicio.
Running is a good exercise.
Using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Verbo En Infinitivo
Conjugating after a preposition
Incorrect: Después de comió, salimos.
Correct: Después de comer, salimos.
After prepositions like de, para, and sin, Spanish always uses the infinitive form, never a conjugated verb.
Using gerund as subject instead of infinitive
Incorrect: Nadando es divertido.
Correct: Nadar es divertido.
Unlike English, which uses the -ing form as a subject, Spanish uses the infinitive — nadar (to swim) not nadando (swimming).
Lock in Infinitive Verb 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 Verbo En Infinitivo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using verbo en infinitivo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El infinitivo del verbo es hablar. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Infinitive Verb in Spanish
- What is an infinitive verb in Spanish?
- An infinitive verb is the base, unconjugated form that ends in -ar (like hablar), -er (like comer), or -ir (like vivir) — it is equivalent to the English 'to + verb' construction.
- How many types of infinitive verbs are there in Spanish?
- There are three conjugation groups based on the infinitive ending: first conjugation (-ar verbs like bailar), second conjugation (-er verbs like beber), and third conjugation (-ir verbs like escribir).
- Can infinitives be used as nouns in Spanish?
- Spanish infinitives regularly function as nouns, serving as the subject or object of a sentence — for example, Vivir es soñar means Living is dreaming.