voy a ir
/boi a iɾ/from spelling rules
voy a ir is the Spanish way to say "I'm going to go".
This phrase is a straightforward way to express your intention to go to a place in the future.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a periphrasis where voy (I go) acts as an auxiliary verb to express a near-future intention, followed by a (to) and the infinitive ir (to go).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly the Caribbean, Me voy pa'llá is used to mean "I'm going there".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on who is performing the action: vas a ir is the second person singular informal form ("you are going to go"), and vamos a ir is the first person plural form ("we are going to go").
Did you know?
- The verb ir is a linguistic hybrid. While the present tense voy comes from one Latin root, the past tense fui actually comes from the Latin word for 'to be'.
- The words voy and ir are 'etymological strangers' that come from two different Latin roots, vadere and īre, but now function as one verb.
- In many regions, the phrase voy a ir is shortened to just voy when the speaker means 'I am leaving'.
Examples in context
- Voy a ir a la reuniónI'm going to go to the meeting
- Me dirijo a la conferenciaI'm going to the conference
- Me apresto a ir al eventoI'm getting ready to go to the event
- Voy a ir al cine.I am going to go to the cinema.
- Voy a ir al cine esta noche.I am going to go to the cinema tonight.
- Mañana voy a ir al supermercado.Tomorrow I am going to go to the supermarket.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about their plans for the weekend.
- María¿Vas a ir al parque el sábado?Are you going to go to the park on Saturday?
- AlejandroNo, yo voy a ir a la playa.No, I am going to go to the beach.
- María¡Qué bien! Yo también voy a ir a la costa.That's great! I am also going to go to the coast.
- AlejandroEntonces nos vemos allá.Then I will see you there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ir, voy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
