venir
/beˈniɾ/
To come in Spanish is venir.
The verb venir is used to describe moving toward or arriving at the place where the speaker is currently located. You can use the preposition a to specify a destination (to come to) or the preposition de to specify an origin (to come from).
Which one should you use?
Spanish makes a clear distinction between venir (to come toward the speaker) and ir (to go toward a different location).
How does it change in a sentence?
venir is an irregular verb. In the present indicative, the first-person singular changes to vengo (I come/am coming). The preterite (past tense) is also irregular and uses the stem vin-, such as in vine (I came). Common present indicative conjugations include:
* Yo vengo (I come)
* Tú vienes (You come)
* Él/Ella/Usted viene (He/She/You formal comes)
* Nosotros/Nosotras venimos (We come)
* Vosotros/Vosotras venís (You all come).
How do you pronounce it?
/beˈniɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using venir if the movement is directed away from you toward a third location. In those cases, you should use ir (to go).
Did you know?
- In many parts of Latin America, you might hear someone say ya vengo to mean 'I'll be right back' even if they are actually walking away from you. This can be confusing because it sounds like they are approaching your location.
- The Spanish verb venir shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'come', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷem-.
- Because venir is so irregular, its present tense form vengo is often used as a shorthand to say 'I'm on my way' or 'I'll be right back' in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- No tienes que venir.You don't need to come.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is not required to come using venir.Tatoeba #2409153 by Shishir, translation #1256618 by CK
- Han decidido no venir.They've decided not to come.This sentence shows how to express a decision not to come using venir.Tatoeba #2049378 by Shishir, translation #2047145 by CK
- ¿Que no quieres venir?You don't want to come?This sentence is a way to ask if someone does not want to come using venir.Tatoeba #6589707 by arh, translation #8217188 by magnificentgoddess
- ¿Me puede decir a qué hora viene el jefe?Could you tell me what time the boss is coming?
- ¿Vas a venir a la fiesta hoy?Are you coming to the party today?
- Elena viene de México.Elena is coming from Mexico.
- ¡Ven acá!Come here!
- ¿Qué te trae por aquí?What brings you here?
- 193 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is inviting Daniel to a party at her house.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿quieres venir a mi fiesta mañana?Daniel, do you want to come to my party tomorrow?
- DanielSí, me encantaría venir.Yes, I would love to come.
- Lucía¿A qué hora vas a venir?What time are you coming?
- DanielVoy a venir a las ocho.I am going to come at eight.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry venir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries venir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
