ir a ver
/iɾ a beɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase 'go to see' is translated as ir a ver.
The phrase ir a ver is used when you are traveling to a specific place to look at something or to visit someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ir (to go), the preposition a (to) and the infinitive ver (to see).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase to refer to a person, you must use the 'personal a' before the person being visited, such as ir a ver a María. In natural speech, direct object pronouns like lo (him/it) or la (her/it) are often attached directly to the end of the infinitive ver, resulting in forms like ir a verlo or ir a verla.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾ a beɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb ir is a linguistic mosaic. Its present tense comes from the Latin 'vādere', its past tense comes from the Latin 'esse' (to be), and its 'voseo' command form comes from andar (to walk).
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying you are going to ver someone can imply a casual visit, whereas visitar often suggests a more formal or official appointment.
- If you use the phrase ir a ver to describe a past action, you might use fui a ver, which uses a form of the verb 'to be' rather than a form of 'to go'.
Examples in context
- Deberías ir a verle.You should go to see him.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use ir a ver when referring to a person.Tatoeba #1873381 by Shishir, translation #63222 by CK
- Deberías ir a ver a tu médico de cabecera de inmediato.You'd better go to see your family doctor at once.This sentence shows how to use ir a ver when referring to a medical professional.Tatoeba #9723610 by Shishir, translation #16655 by CK
- Quiero ir a ver una película.I want to go to see a movie.This sentence demonstrates how to use ir a ver in the context of a movie.Tatoeba #733110 by darinmex, translation #716666 by CM
- Quiero ir a ver la nueva exposición de arte.I want to go see the new art exhibition.
- El cliente va a ir a ver el producto antes de comprarlo.The customer will go see the product before buying it.
- Voy a ir a echar un vistazo al concierto.I'm going to go take a look at the concert.
- ¡Vamos a echar un vistazo a la tienda de antigüedades!Let's go take a look at the antique store!
- Pasé a ver a Luis en su lugar de trabajo.I went to see Luis at his workplace.
- Voy a pasar a ver a mi abuela después del colegio.I'm going to go see my grandma after school.
- Voy a ir a ver a mi amiga al aeropuerto mañana.I'm going to go see my friend at the airport tomorrow.
- Vamos a ir a echar un vistazo a los nuevos modelos de coches en el concesionario.We're going to go take a look at the new car models at the dealership.
- Pasé a ver a mi hermano en su nuevo apartamento.I went to see my brother at his new apartment.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about visiting a museum in the city.
- ElenaJavier, ¿quieres ir a ver la nueva exposición?Javier, do you want to go to see the new exhibition?
- JavierSí, me gustaría ir a verla contigo.Yes, I would like to go to see it with you.
- ElenaEs una exposición de arte muy famosa.It is a very famous art exhibition.
- JavierEntonces, vamos a verla este fin de semana.Then, let's go to see it this weekend.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ir, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
