When starting to learn a new language, mastering verbs is key to unlocking basic communication. Without verbs, forming sentences and expressing yourself becomes almost impossible. But which verbs should you focus on first? There is no definitive list as context is so important but, in this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 essential verbs that you’ll encounter in almost every conversation, regardless of whether you’re learning French, Spanish, or any other language.
Why Verbs Are So Important
Verbs are the action words in a sentence. They allow you to describe what someone is doing, feeling, or thinking. Certain verbs appear in nearly every interaction, so focusing on these will give you a strong foundation for communicating effectively.
Top 10 Essential Verbs
These ten verbs are the probably the most frequently used and versatile, forming the core of daily conversation:
To be
French: être
Spanish: ser / estar
In both languages, "to be" is crucial for describing states of being, characteristics, and locations. In Spanish, you'll need to understand the difference between "ser" (permanent) and "estar" (temporary). Warning: "To be" in English is not always translated by the verb "to be" in French or Spanish!
To have
French: avoir
Spanish: tener
"To have" is essential for possession, as well as in forming compound tenses in many languages. Warning: Spanish also has the verb "haber" to have which is used grammatically to form other tenses and doesn't use tener for this!
To do / To make
French: faire
Spanish: hacer
One verb for two meanings: both "to do" and "to make." Mastering this verb early allows you to express a wide variety of actions.
To go
French: aller
Spanish: ir
"To go" is indispensable for talking about movement, future plans, and directions.
To see
French: voir
Spanish: ver
Seeing and observing are common parts of any conversation, making this verb highly useful.
To look
French: regarder
Spanish: mirar
Different from "to see," "to look" usually implies intentional action.
To look for
French: chercher
Spanish: buscar
Whether you’re asking for directions or searching for something, "to look for" is a practical verb.
To say
French: dire
Spanish: decir
You’ll need this verb to report speech or share what someone has said.
To speak
French: parler
Spanish: hablar
A must-know verb for asking if others speak your language or letting them know how much you speak of theirs.
To know
French: savoir / connaître
Spanish: saber / conocer
Both languages differentiate between knowing facts ("savoir"/"saber") and being familiar with people or places ("connaître"/"conocer").
The Power of Context
While memorising these verbs is important, real mastery comes from seeing them used in natural situations. Exposure to native speakers, whether through films, articles, or conversations, will help you absorb how these verbs function in daily life.
In Summary:By focusing on these top 10 verbs, you’ll quickly gain the ability to form basic yet meaningful sentences. This small but powerful set of verbs will give you the foundation to express key actions, states, and descriptions in any new language. Stay tuned for Part Two, where we explore the next 10 essential verbs to take your language skills to the next level!
You may find this post about listening to improve your languages useful: click here to read.
Cate is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years of experience teaching in schools and she has most recently dedicated her time to tutoring both online and face to face. Current and past students come from the New Forest, across the UK, Spain, Switzerland, France, Spain and Hong Kong. Cate has a waiting list for all hours outside of the UK school day but can often find space for those in other time zones or adults who are able to have a lesson during the day.
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