The Future in Spanish
Spanish has several ways to talk about the future. The two most important are ir + a + infinitive and the simple future. They can sometimes translate as “going to” and “will” in English, but the difference is not exactly the same.
Everyday Spanish
In conversation, ir + a + infinitive is extremely common. The simple future is also important, especially for predictions, promises, formal or written language, and expressing probability.
1. Ir + a + Infinitive
Commonly used for plans and intentions, things that are already expected to happen, events that are about to happen, and predictions based on present evidence.
Conjugate only 'ir' + a + infinitive
- yo voy
- tú vas
- él va
- nosotros vamos
- vosotros vais
- ellos van
Voy a estudiar esta noche.
I’m going to study tonight.
¿Vas a venir mañana?
Are you going to come tomorrow?
Mira esas nubes. Va a llover.
Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.
2. The Simple Future
Formed by adding the future endings directly to the infinitive. Good news: Unlike many Spanish tenses, the endings are exactly the same for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs.
infinitive + future ending
- yo -é
- tú -ás
- él -á
- nosotros -emos
- vosotros -éis
- ellos -án
Estudiaré español.
I will study Spanish.
Mañana trabajaremos desde casa.
Tomorrow we will work from home.
Será difícil.
It will be difficult.
3. 12 Common Irregular Stems
Some very common verbs change their stem, but they still use the exact same future endings (e.g. podr + é → podré).
| Infinitive | Future Stem | Example (yo / él / nosotros) |
|---|---|---|
| tener | tendr- | tendré |
| venir | vendr- | vendrás |
| poner | pondr- | pondrá |
| salir | saldr- | saldremos |
| poder | podr- | podréis |
| querer | querr- | querrán |
| saber | sabr- | sabré |
| haber | habr- | habrá |
| hacer | har- | haré |
| decir | dir- | dirás |
| valer | valdr- | valdrá |
| caber | cabr- | cabremos |
4. Ir + a vs. Simple Future
This is one of the most important distinctions for learners. Both can refer to the future, and often both are grammatically correct. The difference is usually about how the speaker presents the future.
Ir + a + Infinitive
- • Very common in conversation
- • Plans and intentions
- • Expected/imminent events
- • Predictions based on present evidence
- • Often sounds more immediate
Voy a estudiar esta noche.
I have this plan / intention.
Simple Future
- • Common in conversation too
- • Predictions
- • Promises and commitments
- • Formal or written contexts
- • Can sound more neutral or definite
Estudiaré esta noche.
I will study tonight.
5. The Future Is Not Only About the Future
One of the most useful features of the Spanish future is that it can express probability or conjecture about the present.
The "Aha!" Moment
¿Dónde está Ana? — Estará en casa.
She is probably at home.
Here, estará does NOT mean "she will be at home." It means: She is probably at home right now.
¿Qué hora será?
I wonder what time it is.
Serán las ocho.
It’s probably eight o’clock.
¿Por qué no contesta?
Why isn't he answering?
Estará trabajando.
He is probably working.
6. Common Uses of the Simple Future
🔮 Predictions
Mañana hará frío.
It will be cold tomorrow.
🤝 Promises / Commitments
No te preocupes. Lo haré.
Don’t worry. I’ll do it.
📅 Future events
El próximo año viviremos en México.
Next year we will live in Mexico.
📢 Formal/Written
El gobierno anunciará las medidas.
The government will announce the measures.
🤔 Probability / Conjecture
Estará ocupado.
He is probably busy.
7. Time Expressions
- mañana tomorrow
- pasado mañana day after tomorrow
- la próxima semana next week
- el próximo mes next month
- el año que viene next year
- dentro de dos días in two days
- algún día someday
- más tarde later
- en el futuro in the future
8. Future Perfect (A Quick Look)
Used for an action that will already be completed by a future moment, or to guess about a past action.
haber (future) + past participle
Para las ocho, habré terminado.
By eight, I will have finished.
¿Dónde está Ana? Habrá salido.
Where is Ana? She has probably gone out.
The Quick Guide
🟢 Ir + a + infinitive
Voy a estudiar.
Think: plan, intention, imminent event, present evidence. Very common in everyday conversation.
🔵 Simple Future
Estudiaré.
Think: prediction, promise, commitment, future event, formal language, probability in the present.
🟣 Future Perfect
Habré estudiado.
Think: completed by a future point, probability about a completed action.
Deep Dive & Practice
Spanish 'Going To' vs 'Will'
Master the subtle differences in meaning and intent. When does a prediction become a promise?
Irregular Future Stems
Learn the 12 verbs that change their stems: tendr-, vendr-, pondr-, saldr-, valdr-, podr-...
The Conditional Tense
The future's twin. It uses the exact same irregular stems to say what you would do.
Simple Future Quiz
A rapid-fire multiple-choice quiz to test your future endings and irregular stem recognition.
Future Tenses Fill-in
Type the correct forms directly into context sentences to master daily usage. Includes audio pronunciation.
Top Irregular Verbs
Deep dive into the 5 most important verbs that break the future tense rules: