llegar
Orthographic Changing (g -> gu) Level A1 ⭐ #15 Most CommonEnglish translation: to arrive / to reach
Presente (Present)
Current arrival
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| yo | llego | |
| tú | llegas | |
| él/ella | llega | |
| nosotros | llegamos | |
| vosotros | llegáis | |
| ellos/ellas | llegan |
- Siempre llego puntual a las reuniones. — I always arrive on time to meetings.
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Frequently Asked Questions: LLEGAR
Is "llegar" a regular or irregular verb in Spanish? ▾
"llegar" is classified as a Orthographic Changing (g -> gu) verb in Spanish. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "g -> gu before 'e' (yo llegué in preterite / llegue in subjunctive)". To preserve the hard /g/ sound before 'e', 'g' inserts 'u' -> llegué, llegue, llegues, lleguemos. Used with 'a' for arrival destinations: 'Llegué a Madrid' (NOT *en Madrid).
What does "llegar" mean in English? ▾
In English, "llegar" translates primarily to "to arrive / to reach". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A1 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "llegar"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Llegué en la estación a las seis." instead of "Llegué a la estación a las seis.". Why? In Spanish, the verb 'llegar' requires the preposition 'a' for destinations of arrival, never 'en'.
What are common idioms or expressions with "llegar"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Llegar a ser" which means "To become (after effort)" (e.g. "Llegó a ser un gran cirujano.").
How can I practice and memorize "llegar" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'llegar' across tenses
Why is the preterite 'yo' form spelled 'llegué'?
Other Important Spanish Verbs to Study
to have / to be (age, hunger)
to be (identity, permanent traits)
to be (temporary states, location)
to go
to do / to make
to want / to love
to know (facts, how to do something)
to come
to speak / to talk
to be able to / can
to live / reside
to eat
to sleep
to put / place / set
to leave / go out / exit
to feel / regret
to ask for / request / order
to drive / lead
to fall
to bring
to hear, listen to
to know / to be acquainted with / to meet
to think / to plan (+ inf)
to give / to produce / to hit
to see / to watch