Ir vs Venir: How 'Come' and 'Go' Work in Spanish

In English, “come” and “go” are simple: you come toward the speaker, you go away from them. In Spanish, ir and venir follow the same basic logic — but with one important difference in how Spanish speakers perceive the conversation.

The short version: ir = movement away from the current location; venir = movement toward the current location (or toward where the speaker will be).

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Ir (To Go)

Ir describes movement away from where the speaker currently is, or from the reference point:

• Voy al supermercado. — I’m going to the supermarket.
• Fue a trabajar a las ocho. — He went to work at eight.
• ¿Vas a la fiesta mañana? — Are you going to the party tomorrow?
• Vamos al parque. — We’re going to the park.

Ir is also used for future plans with ir a + infinitive:

• Voy a estudiar esta noche. — I’m going to study tonight.
• Va a llover. — It’s going to rain.

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Venir (To Come)

Venir describes movement toward the speaker’s current location — or toward where the speaker will be when the action happens:

• Ven aquí. — Come here. (toward the speaker)
• ¿Vienes a la fiesta? — Are you coming to the party? (the speaker will be there)
• Vengo del trabajo. — I’m coming from work.
• Mis padres vienen a visitarme mañana. — My parents are coming to visit me tomorrow.

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The Key Difference: Perspective

This is where English and Spanish part ways. In English:

“Are you coming to the party?” (even if you’re not there yet)

In Spanish, if the speaker will be at the party, they use venir. If they won’t be there (or they’re not sure), they might use ir:

• ¿Vienes a la fiesta? — Are you coming to the party? (I’ll be there)
• ¿Vas a la fiesta? — Are you going to the party? (neutral / I might not be there)

On the phone, if someone says “I’ll be right there,” Spanish uses ir — because the speaker is moving away from their current location:

• Ya voy. — I’m on my way. (lit: I’m going — away from here, toward you)

In English this would be “I’m coming,” but in Spanish it’s ir because the movement is away from the speaker’s current position.

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Common Fixed Expressions

With ir:

• ir de compras — to go shopping
• ir de vacaciones — to go on vacation
• ir a pie — to go on foot / walk
• ¿Cómo te va? — How’s it going?

With venir:

• venir bien — to suit / to be convenient
• ¿A qué viene eso? — What’s that about? / Why did you bring that up?
• venir de — to come from (origin)
• El año que viene — next year (lit: the year that comes)

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Where Learners Go Wrong

Saying venir when you’re traveling somewhere:

If a friend in Madrid asks if you’re going to Madrid, and you’re not in Madrid:

• ✓ Voy a Madrid la semana que viene. — I’m going to Madrid next week.
• ✗ Vengo a Madrid la semana que viene. — Only correct if you’re calling from Madrid.

Responding to “Are you coming?” with venir:

When someone asks ¿Vienes? and you want to say “I’m coming”:

• ✓ Ya voy. — I’m on my way. (lit: I’m going — away from here)
• ✗ Vengo. — This would mean “I’m arriving” or “I come from…”

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Quick Reference

Use ir for	Use venir for
Moving away from your current location	Moving toward the speaker’s location
General travel to a place	Joining someone where they are (or will be)
“I’m on my way” (already leaving)	“Come here” / “Are you coming?“
ir a + infinitive (near future)	venir de + infinitive (just finished)

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