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Llegar, as a Spanish conjugation verb, has two distinct meanings. To arrive or to get somewhere in the first meaning. It can be used in many contexts when you would use it to arrive in English. For example, El tren llega a las 3 (The train arrives at 3), or El bus llegó tarde (The bus got here late). Arribar is also a verb that means to arrive, but it is more formal and less commonly used.
Another meaning of llegar is to reach. If, for example, you are too short to reach a shelf, you could say No llego (I can’t reach). One more example is El agua le llegaba a las rodillas. (The water reached his knees.) However, there is another verb that also means to reach, which is alcanzar.
In other words, As a regular -ar verb, the llegar conjugation looks like the patterns of verbs like desear, doblar, and bucear. This article describes the conjugations of arrival in the indicative mood (present, past, and future), the subjunctive mood (present and past), the imperative mood, and other verb forms.
How To Use Llegar Conjugation In Preterite, Subjunctive & Imperfect Tenses
We are going to learn the Spanish verb ‘llegar’, which means ‘to arrive’. With examples from real life, you will be able to learn how to talk about past actions and when to use the preterite or imperfect.
Introducing the Verb Llegar
When you were in primary school, what time did you arrive home? What time did you arrive home yesterday? When was the last time you struggled to make ends meet?
The verb llegar is necessary to talk about these topics in Spanish. This lesson analyzes its different meanings and explains the differences between the preterite and imperfect tenses. Let’s get started!
Meanings Of The Conjugation Verb Llegar
These are the main meanings and structures of the verb llegar:
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Llegar\ a\ (un\ lugar):-}}\) To arrive at/in (a place)
Example: Llegar a España / llegar a casa.
Translation In English: ‘to arrive in Spain / to arrive home.’)
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Llegar\ de\ (un\ lugar):-}}\) To arrive from (a place)
Example: Llegar de Guatemala.
Translation In English: to arrive from Guatemala.’)
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Llegar\ a\ fin\ de\ mes:-}}\) To make ends meet
Example: A veces es difícil llegar a fin de mes.
Translation In English: Sometimes it’s difficult to make ends meet.’)
Note: ALWAYS use the preposition (at) before the verb when you mention the name of the place where we arrive, and de when you refer to the place where we arrive from:
- Llegar a la playa. (‘to arrive at the beach.’)
- Llegar de la escuela. (‘to arrive from school.’)
Note: If the place requires the article el, a + el becomes al, and de + el becomes del:
- Llegar al cine. (‘to arrive at the cinema.’) Do NOT say llegar a el cine.
- Llegar del aeropuerto. (‘to arrive from the airport.’) Do NOT say llegar de el aeropuerto.
Tener- “to be”: Spanish Verb Conjugation In Present, Past, Future Tenses
Llegar Present Indicative
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) llego
Example: Yo llego a la escuela tarde.
Translation In English: I get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llegas
Example: Tú llegas al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: You reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) llega
Example: Ella llega al trabajo temprano.
Translation In English: She gets to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) llegamos
Example: Nosotros llegamos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: We arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegáis
Example: Vosotros llegáis a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: You arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegan
Example: Ellos llegan a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: They arrive at the party by taxi.
Llegar Preterite Indicative
In the preterite tense, completed actions are described. Please note that when conjugating in first person preterite, you must add a “u” after the “g” in order to maintain the hard g sound.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) llegué
Example: Yo llegué a la escuela tarde.
Translation In English: I got to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llegaste
Example: Tú llegaste al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: You reached the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegó
Example: Ella llegó al trabajo temprano.
Translation In English: She got to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) llegamos
Example: Nosotros llegamos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: We arrived on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegasteis
Example: Vosotros llegasteis a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: You arrived at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegaron
Example: Ellos llegaron a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: They arrived at the party by taxi.
Llegar Imperfect Indicative
In the imperfect tense, ongoing or habitual actions are described in the past. In other words, they are described as if they were occurring in the past.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) llegaba
Example: Yo llegaba a la escuela tarde.
Translation In English: I used to get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llegabas
Example: Tú llegabas al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: You used to reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegaba
Example: Ella llegaba al trabajo temprano.
Translation In English: She used to get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) llegábamos
Example: Nosotros llegábamos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: We used to arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegabais
Example: Vosotros llegabais a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: You used to arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegaban
Example: Ellos llegaban a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: They used to arrive at the party by taxi.
Llegar Future Indicative
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) llegaré
Example: Yo llegaré a la escuela tarde.
Translation In English: I will get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llegarás
Example: Tú llegarás al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: You will reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegará
Example: Ella llegará al trabajo temprano.
Translation In English: She will get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) llegaremos
Example: Nosotros llegaremos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: We will arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegaréis
Example: Vosotros llegaréis a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: You will arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegarán
Example: Ellos llegarán a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: They will arrive at the party by taxi.
Llegar Periphrastic Future Indicative
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) voy a llegar
Example: Yo voy a llegar a la escuela tarde.
Translation In English: I am going to get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) vas a llegar
Example: Tú vas a llegar al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: You are going to reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) va a llegar
Example: Ella va a llegar al trabajo temprano.
Translation In English: She is going to get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) vamos a llegar
Example: Nosotros vamos a llegar en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: We are going to arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) vais a llegar
Example: Vosotros vais a llegar a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: You are going to arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) van a llegar
Example: Ellos van a llegar a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: They are going to arrive at the party by taxi.
Llegar Present Progressive/Gerund Form
A gerund is a verb form that is also known as the present participle of a verb. This form is equivalent to the English -ing form and can be used either as an adverb or to form progressive verb tenses. An example of this is the present progressive.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Present\ Progressive\ of\ Llegar:-}}\) está llegando
Example: Ella está llegando temprano al trabajo.
Translation In English: She is getting to work early.
Llegar Past Participle
A past participle is a form of a verb that can be used to form perfect tenses like the present perfect.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Present\ Perfect\ of\ Llegar:-}}\) ha llegado
Example: Ella ha llegado temprano al trabajo.
Translation In English: She has gotten to work early.
Llegar Conditional Indicative
It is usually translated from the conditional tense to English as “would + verb.”.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Yo:-}}\) llegaría
Example: Yo llegaría a la escuela tarde si mi mamá no me despertara.
Translation In English: I would get to school late if my mom didn’t wake me up.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llegarías
Example: Tú llegarías al techo con la escalera si pudieras subirte.
Translation In English: You would reach the roof with a ladder if you could climb it.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegaría
Example: Ella llegaría al trabajo temprano si tomara el tren.
Translation In English: She would get to work early if she took the train.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) llegaríamos
Example: Nosotros llegaríamos en el vuelo de la tarde, pero lo cancelaron.
Translation In English: We would arrive on the afternoon flight, but it was canceled.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegaríais
Example: Vosotros llegaríais a la playa con vuestros amigos si os invitaran.
Translation In English: You would arrive at the beach with your friends if you were invited.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegarían
Example: Ellos llegarían a la fiesta en taxi si no tuvieran carro.
Translation In English: They would arrive at the party by taxi if they didn’t have a car.
Llegar Present Subjunctive
In a sentence consisting of two clauses (the main clause and a subordinate clause), the present subjunctive is used to describe desire, doubt, denial, emotion, negation, possibility, or other subjective situations.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ yo:-}}\) llegue
Example: El maestro espera que yo no llegue tarde a la escuela.
Translation In English: The teacher hopes that I don’t get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ tú:-}}\) llegues
Example: Pablo espera que tú llegues al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: Pablo hopes that you reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegue
Example: El jefe quiere que ella llegue temprano al trabajo.
Translation In English: The boss wants her to get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ nosotros:-}}\) lleguemos
Example: El agente recomienda que nosotros lleguemos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: The agent recommends that we arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ vosotros:-}}\) lleguéis
Example: Marta espera que vosotros lleguéis a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: Marta hopes that you arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) lleguen
Example: Esteban sugiere que ustedes lleguen a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: Esteban suggests that you arrive at the party by taxi.
Llegar Imperfect Subjunctive
In order to conjugate the imperfect subjunctive, there are two options available:
Type: 1
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ yo:-}}\) llegara
Example: El maestro esperaba que yo no llegara tarde a la escuela.
Translation In English: The teacher hoped that I wouldn’t get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ tú:-}}\) llegaras
Example: Pablo esperaba que tú llegaras al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: Pablo hoped that you would reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegara
Example: El jefe quería que ella llegara temprano al trabajo.
Translation In English: The boss wanted her to get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ nosotros:-}}\) llegáramos
Example: El agente recomendaba que nosotros llegáramos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: The agent recommended that we arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ vosotros:-}}\) llegarais
Example: Marta esperaba que vosotros llegarais a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: Marta hoped that you would arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegaran
Example: Esteban sugirió que ustedes llegaran a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: Esteban suggested that you arrive at the party by taxi.
Type: 2
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ yo:-}}\) llegase
Example: El maestro esperaba que yo no llegase tarde a la escuela.
Translation In English: The teacher hoped that I wouldn’t get to school late.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ tú:-}}\) llegases
Example: Pablo esperaba que tú llegases al techo con la escalera.
Translation In English: Pablo hoped that you would reach the roof with a ladder.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ usted/él/ella:-}}\) llegase
Example: El jefe quería que ella llegase temprano al trabajo.
Translation In English: The boss wanted her to get to work early.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ nosotros:-}}\) llegásemos
Example: El agente recomendaba que nosotros llegásemos en el vuelo de la tarde.
Translation In English: The agent recommended that we arrive on the afternoon flight.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ vosotros:-}}\) llegaseis
Example: Marta esperaba que vosotros llegaseis a la playa con vuestros amigos.
Translation In English: Marta hoped that you would arrive at the beach with your friends.
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Que\ ustedes/ellos/ellas:-}}\) llegasen
Example: Esteban sugirió que ustedes llegasen a la fiesta en taxi.
Translation In English: Esteban suggested that you arrive at the party by taxi.
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Llegar Imperative
In the imperative mood, there are both positive and negative commands:
Positive Commands
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) llega
Example: ¡Llega al techo con la escalera!
Translation In English: Reach the roof with the ladder!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted:-}}\) llegue
Example: ¡Llegue al trabajo temprano!
Translation In English: Get to work early!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) lleguemos
Example: ¡Lleguemos en el vuelo de la tarde!
Translation In English: Let’s arrive on the afternoon flight!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) llegad
Example: ¡Llegad a la playa con vuestros amigos!
Translation In English: Arrive at the beach with your friends!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes:-}}\) lleguen
Example: ¡Lleguen a la fiesta en taxi!
Translation In English: Arrive at the party by taxi!
Negative Commands
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Tú:-}}\) no llegues
Example: ¡No llegues al techo con la escalera!
Translation In English: Don’t reach the roof with the ladder!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Usted:-}}\) no llegue
Example: ¡No llegue al trabajo temprano!
Translation In English: Don’t get to work early!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Nosotros:-}}\) no lleguemos
Example: ¡No lleguemos en el vuelo de la tarde!
Translation In English: Let’s not arrive on the afternoon flight!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Vosotros:-}}\) no lleguéis
Example: ¡No lleguéis a la playa con vuestros amigos!
Translation In English: Don’t arrive at the beach with your friends!
\(\mathbf{\color{red}{Ustedes:-}}\) no lleguen
Example: ¡No lleguen a la fiesta en taxi!
Translation In English: Don’t arrive at the party by taxi!
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FAQs
Is llegar irregular in preterite?
Llegar is conjugated as an irregular verb in the preterite tense.
What is the stem change for llegar?
Llegar is a regular verb, so to conjugate, it just takes its stem (lleg-) and adds the preterite endings. There is only one irregularity. For the first person singular (yo), we need to add an u to the stem (llegu-).
Is llegar irregular in the subjunctive?
Llegar is a regular verb, which means that, in order to form the subjunctive, we only need to take its stem (lleg-) and add the appropriate endings.
How do you use llegar in a sentence?
To be on time – Llegar a tiempo. To be late – Llegar tarde. I’m sorry for being late – Lo siento por llegar tarde. The time has arrived to tell me the truth – Llegó la hora de decirme la verdad.
What is llegar?
- Spanish Verb: llegar
- English Translation: to arrive, come, reach; to bring up.