Top Ten Most Useful Spanish Verbs

After living here for a few months, I have come up with a list of ten verbs that I think are very important for everyone to know when speaking Spanish. These verbs are used all the time for their literal meanings as well as numerous idiomatic expressions. If you master these verbs then you will be able to get along pretty darn well in any Spanish speaking country. In no particular order, here they are:

1. Ser (to be)
   
2. Estar (to be)
3. Hacer (to do, to make)
4. Querer (to want, to love)
5. Dar (to give)
6. Decir (to say, to tell)
7. Tener (to have)
8. Haber (to have)
9. Poder (to be able to)
   
10. Ir (to go)

As you probably noted, some verbs mean the same thing: tener & haber and ser & estar. The trick is knowing when to use each verb. Once you figure that out, you are well on your way to speaking Spanish like a pro. At least, you will be well on your way to using these ten verbs like a pro.