Introduction
Learning how to use the verb Ir is one of the quickest ways for beginners to talk about simple plans in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains the present tense structure, the near future with ir + infinitive, common phrases, practical examples, vocabulary, tips, and frequent mistakes, all with easy-to-use sentences for everyday situations.
Why Ir is essential for beginners
Ir means to go and is an irregular verb, but it is also the key verb for expressing movement and simple future plans. In everyday speech Brazilians use Ir both to say where they are going and to describe what they are going to do soon. Learning Ir helps a beginner form messages, make plans, read schedules, and understand invitations.
Basic present tense forms of Ir
Memorize these simple conjugations to talk about who is going where now or later.
Eu vou — I go / I am going
Tu vais — You go (rare in Brazil; mostly in informal regional use)
Você vai — You go (formal or standard spoken you)
Ele / Ela vai — He / She goes
Nós vamos — We go
Vocês vão — You all go
Eles / Elas vão — They go
Using Ir to talk about near future plans
One of the most useful patterns for beginners is ir + infinitive. This construction is equivalent to English going to + verb and is used for planned or intended actions in the near future.
Structure: subject + conjugated form of Ir + infinitive verb
Examples:
Eu vou estudar hoje à noite.
Explanation in English: I am going to study tonight.
Ela vai trabalhar amanhã de manhã.
Explanation in English: She is going to work tomorrow morning.
Nós vamos almoçar às 12h.
Explanation in English: We are going to have lunch at 12.
Practice sentences for everyday plans
Use these realistic examples for texting, speaking, or reading simple schedules.
Você vai ao mercado agora?
Are you going to the market now?
Eu vou pegar o ônibus às oito.
I am going to catch the bus at eight.
Eles vão viajar no fim de semana.
They are going to travel on the weekend.
Vamos ao cinema hoje?
Shall we go to the cinema today?
Vou ligar para você depois.
I will call you later.
Key vocabulary for making plans with Ir
Here are common verbs and nouns you will combine with ir + infinitive or use after Ir to say where you are going.
ir — to go
chegar — to arrive
voltar — to return
estudar — to study
trabalhar — to work
jantar — to have dinner
almoçar — to have lunch
viajar — to travel
mercado — market / grocery store
ônibus — bus
estação — station
centro — downtown / center
Short dialogues using Ir
Simple conversations help you see how natives make plans. Read them aloud and substitute words to practice.
A: O que você vai fazer hoje?
B: Vou estudar e depois vou ao mercado.
Translation: A: What are you going to do today? B: I’m going to study and then I’m going to the market.
A: Vamos sair agora?
B: Não posso, vou trabalhar às 18h.
Translation: A: Shall we go out now? B: I can’t, I am going to work at 6 PM.
Ways to say the destination: common prepositions with Ir
When using Ir to say where you are going, learn common prepositions and contracted forms.
para + lugar = to place (often used formally)
Eu vou para a escola.
I am going to school.
a + o = ao (masculine singular contraction)
Eu vou ao banco.
I am going to the bank.
a + a = à (feminine singular contraction; written with accent)
Eu vou à praia amanhã.
I am going to the beach tomorrow.
em + o = no; em + a = na (used when staying or being located)
Eu vou no mercado agora.
I am going at the market now. (colloquial for I am going to the market)
Time expressions commonly used with plans
Attach time words to make your plans specific.
hoje — today
amanhã — tomorrow
depois — later/after
mais tarde — later
agora — now
às 8h — at 8:00
no fim de semana — on the weekend
Example: Vou ao dentista amanhã de manhã.
I am going to the dentist tomorrow morning.
Beginner tips for learning and using Ir
Tip 1: Practice the present tense conjugations regularly by replacing the infinitive: Eu vou, você vai, nós vamos. Make flashcards with subject + Ir.
Tip 2: Start forming near-future sentences using verbs you use often: estudar, trabalhar, comer, sair, viajar. Short sentences help retention.
Tip 3: Listen for vou and vai in Brazilian media. These forms appear in casual chat and announcements.
Tip 4: Use voice memos on your phone to record: Eu vou ao mercado, Eu vou estudar. Repeating aloud builds confidence.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Overusing infinitive without conjugating Ir. Wrong: Eu ir estudar hoje. Correct: Eu vou estudar hoje.
Mistake 2: Confusing ficar and ir. Ficar means to stay; ir means to go. Eu vou ficar aqui means I am going to stay here — context matters.
Mistake 3: Using tu forms in standard Brazilian Portuguese where you should use você. In many regions Brazilians use você: Você vai? instead of Tu vais?
Mistake 4: Wrong preposition with place. Use ao, à, no, na appropriately: Eu vou ao parque, Eu vou à festa, Eu vou ao médico, Eu vou na escola (colloquial but common).
Short practice exercises
Complete the sentences aloud or in writing. Use the correct form of Ir and an infinitive or place.
1. Eu ____ (ir) ____ ao mercado às 10h.
2. Você ____ (ir) ____ trabalhar amanhã?
3. Nós ____ (ir) ____ jantar depois do cinema.
4. Ela ____ (ir) ____ viajar no fim de semana.
Answers: 1. vou / 2. vai / 3. vamos / 4. vai
Realistic messages and signs a beginner can read
These short examples appear on tickets, schedules, and casual messages.
Saída do ônibus: Próxima parada — centro.
Translation: Bus stop: Next stop — downtown.
Mensagem: Vou chegar às 19h, te ligo quando eu sair do trabalho.
Translation: I’ll arrive at 7 PM, I’ll call you when I leave work.
Cardápio: Hoje vou querer o prato do dia.
Translation: Today I will want the daily special.
Quick cultural note for beginners
In Brazil people often use casual forms to make plans: Vamos? means Shall we go? or Do you want to go? Saying Bora? is slang for Let’s go and is common among friends. Both are fine in informal contexts; still use Vou and Vai when stating plans clearly.
Conclusion
Mastering Ir and the ir + infinitive construction gives beginners a powerful tool to make and understand simple plans in Brazilian Portuguese. Practice basic conjugations, combine them with common verbs and places, use time expressions, and avoid a few frequent mistakes. With short daily practice you will soon feel comfortable saying where you are going and what you are going to do.
