Present Tense
The Present Tense is the beginning for all Spanish learners. There are three main time periods: the past, present and future. People are able to communicate basic Spanish using this tense.
This tense shows some differences in "AR, ER, and IR" verbs. In general, these verbs are similar in conjugating. Here are the basics.
| Examinar | Beber | Curtir | |
| (yo) | examino | bebo | curto |
| (tú) | examinas | bebes | curtes |
| (él/ella/Vd.) | examina | bebe | curte |
| (nosotros) | examinamos | bebemos | curtimos |
| (vosotros) | examináis | bebéis | curtís |
| (ellos/Vds.) | examinan | beben | curten |
Notes: 1) The "yo" form is the same in all three types of verbs
2) The conjugation of "ER" and "IR" verbs are the same except "nosotros" and "vosotros."
3) All forms have an accent in the "vosotros" form (except ir and ser)
As we know, "yo", "tú", "él/ella/Vd.", "nosotros", "vosotros", and "ellos/Vds." all mean I, you, he/she/it/, we/us, you guys, and them. When the verb is conjugated, the "to" part is removed and replaced with the conjugated present tense. For example, examino is conjugated in the yo form and thus means I examine (examinar means to examine, take the "AR" off and put the yo form at the end to make it I examine). The same is true with the rest of the forms: examinas: you examine, examina: he/she/it examines (choose one out of he/she/it), examinamos: we examine, examináis: you guys (informal) examine, and examinan: they examine.
Quick questions
1) What does bebes mean?
2) What does curtimos mean?
Check out these links to learn more about advanced present tense topics.