Stem-Changing Verbs: o → ue

Spanish: Verbos con cambio de raíz: o → ue

Level: A2 Elementary

Category: verbs

Explanation

Stem-changing verbs "o → ue" are very common Spanish verbs that change the stem vowel "o" to "ue" when that vowel is stressed. This happens in all present-tense forms except "nosotros" and "vosotros", because in those two forms the stress falls on the ending rather than the stem. For example, the verb "poder" becomes "puedo", "puedes", "puede", but we say "podemos" and "podéis". This change affects verbs from all three conjugations (-ar, -er, -ir). Some very common examples are "poder" (puedo - I can), "dormir" (duermo - I sleep), "volver" (vuelvo - I return), and "encontrar" (encuentro - I find). The normal present-tense endings do not change; the only thing that changes is the stem vowel. It is important to remember the "nosotros" and "vosotros" forms because they are the only ones that keep the original "o". If you memorize that these two forms "do not change", the rest becomes easy. These verbs appear constantly in everyday conversations: ordering things at a café, talking about sleeping at the hotel, or asking how much something costs at the market.

Examples

• ¿Puedo pedir un café con leche, por favor? - Can I order a coffee with milk, please?
• No encuentro mi cartera en la mesa. - I can't find my wallet on the table.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta la habitación por noche? - How much does the room cost per night?
• Normalmente duermo ocho horas cada noche. - I normally sleep eight hours each night.
• Nosotros volvemos al hotel a las diez. - We return to the hotel at ten.