vas
/bas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "you go" is expressed as vas.
vas is the second person singular form of the verb go.
Which one should you use?
While vas is used for an informal "you", the form va is used for the formal "usted" (you) or for the third-person "he/she".
Is it said differently in some regions?
When addressing a group of people informally in Spain, you use vosotros vais for "you all go". Ustedes van is the conjugation for "you all go" (formal or informal plural).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form vas is the informal second-person singular conjugation of the verb 'ir' (to go). A common grammatical construction is vas a followed by an infinitive, which is the standard way to express the near future, meaning "you are going to [do something]".
How do you pronounce it?
/bas/
Did you know?
- In many parts of Latin America, you will never hear the conjugation vais used for 'you all go', even when addressing friends or family. Instead, people use van regardless of whether the group is being formal or informal.
- The phrase 'vas a' is so common for the near future that it can sometimes be used idiomatically to express a warning, such as 'vas a ver', meaning 'you'll see' in a threatening or certain way.
- In some regions, such as parts of the Caribbean or coastal Colombia, the 's' at the end of words is often dropped or softened in speech, so 'vas' might sound more like 'va'.
Examples in context
- ¿No vas a ir?Won't you go?This sentence shows how to use vas to ask about a future intention.Tatoeba #991028 by hayastan, translation #241051 by CK
- Ahí vas otra vez.There you go again.This sentence uses vas to describe someone repeating a behavior.Tatoeba #3804713 by cueyayotl, translation #32612 by CM
- ¿Vas a ir con Tom?Will you go with Tom?This sentence uses vas to ask about a person's future movement with someone else.Tatoeba #1554500 by marcelostockle, translation #37390 by CK
- Señor, usted va a la reunión ahoraSir, you go to the meeting now
- Usted va a la farmaciaYou go to the pharmacy
- Por favor, diríjase al mostrador de informaciónPlease go to the information desk
- Vas a la tiendaYou go to the store
- Vas a la casa de JuanYou go to Juan's house
- Usted va al restaurante esta nocheYou are going to the restaurant tonight
- Por favor, diríjase a la salida más cercanaPlease go to the nearest exit
- Vas a la playa con tus amigosYou're going to the beach with your friends
- Ve a comprar el panGo buy the bread
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking about their plans for the weekend.
- María¿Tú vas al cine hoy?Are you going to the cinema today?
- DanielNo, no voy a ir.No, I'm not going.
- María¿Entonces vas a estudiar?So, are you going to study?
- DanielSí, voy a estudiar en casa.Yes, I am going to study at home.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
