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Conjugation of the verb ‘Oír’ in Spanish.How to conjugate Oír.

The verb "Oír" is one of the most important and commonly used verbs in the Spanish language, meaning "to hear." In this article, we’ll explore how to conjugate the verb "Oír," focusing on its various tenses, including present, preterite, and imperfect, while providing practical examples to help reinforce understanding.

Present tense conjugation of Oír

The present tense of "Oír" introduces learners to the irregular "yo" form and other changes. Unlike regular verbs, "Oír" deviates in several forms, making it one of the more challenging verbs to master.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation
Yo oigo
oyes
Él/Ella/Usted oye
Nosotros/Nosotras oímos
Vosotros/Vosotras oís
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes oyen

Example Sentences:

  • Yo oigo música todos los días. (I hear music every day.)
  • ¿Oyes ese sonido extraño? (Do you hear that strange sound?)
  • Ellos oyen la noticia en la radio. (They hear the news on the radio.)

Preterite conjugation of Oír

In the preterite tense, "Oír" undergoes significant stem changes, introducing the "y" in some forms.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation
Yo
oíste
Él/Ella/Usted oyó
Nosotros/Nosotras oímos
Vosotros/Vosotras oísteis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes oyeron

Example Sentences:

  • Yo oí un ruido en la noche. (I heard a noise at night.)
  • Oyó la canción en la radio. (He heard the song on the radio.)
  • Oyeron el anuncio en la televisión. (They heard the announcement on TV.)

Imperfect tense and other irregular forms

The imperfect tense is more predictable and is used to describe ongoing or habitual past actions.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation
Yo oía
oías
Él/Ella/Usted oía
Nosotros/Nosotras oíamos
Vosotros/Vosotras oíais
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes oían

Example Sentences:

  • Oíamos música todos los días. (We used to hear music every day.)
  • Ella oía cuentos cuando era niña. (She used to hear stories when she was a child.)
  • Oían la misma canción todos los veranos. (They used to hear the same song every summer.)

Practical use of Oír in different contexts

It’s important to distinguish between Oír (to hear) and Escuchar (to listen). Oír refers to passive hearing, while Escuchar implies active listening.

  • Oigo ruido en la calle. (I hear noise in the street.)
  • Escucho música todos los días. (I listen to music every day.)

Common mistakes and tips

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid and tips for mastering the verb Oír:

  • Mixing up "Oír" and "Escuchar": Remember that Oír is passive and Escuchar is active.
  • Forgetting the Irregular "Yo" Form: Make sure to memorize yo oigo instead of following regular verb patterns.
  • Struggling with Preterite Forms: Pay extra attention to the "y" in oyó and oyeron.

Tips for Mastery:

  • Practice with flashcards or write out the conjugations multiple times.
  • Create sentences using the different tenses to reinforce your understanding.
  • Regularly use the verb in conversation to build muscle memory.

Summary of key points and practice exercises

To sum up, mastering the verb Oír involves understanding its irregularities in the present, preterite, and imperfect tenses. The present tense features forms like oigo and oyes, while the preterite tense introduces stem changes like oyó and oyeron. The imperfect tense is much more regular and is used for ongoing or habitual past actions.

Now that you've finished the guide, try out our exercises to practice Oír conjugations . This will help reinforce what you've learned and boost your Spanish skills.

Test your knowledge

Collect the sentence by selecting the correct words in order.

I will hear the wind blowing at night. - Translate this sentence to Spanish.

Usage Examples oír

  • Yo oiré el viento soplar en la noche. - I will hear the wind blowing at night.
  • Vosotros oís las olas del mar en la playa. - You all hear the waves of the sea on the beach.
  • Ellos oyeron el canto de los pájaros. - They heard the singing of the birds.
  • Él oye el coche pasar. - He hears the car go by.
  • Ellos oirán el discurso del presidente. - They will hear the president's speech.
  • Vosotros oísteis la llamada de la maestra. - You all heard the teacher's call.
  • Yo oigo música todos los días. - I hear music every day.
  • Nosotros oímos a los vecinos hablar. - We hear the neighbors talk.
  • Yo oiré tus consejos. - I will hear your advice.
  • Ella oye el viento soplar. - She hears the wind blowing.
  • Ellas oyen la música desde lejos. - They hear the music from afar.
  • Ellos oyeron el consejo del profesor. - They heard the professor's advice.
  • Vosotros oiréis las instrucciones del maestro. - You will hear the teacher's instructions.
  • Hoy oigo a mis vecinos hablar. - Today I hear my neighbors talking.
  • Tú oíste la clase, ¿verdad? - You heard the class, right?
  • Tú oyes a los niños jugar. - You hear the children playing.
  • Él oye a los pájaros en el parque. - He hears the birds in the park.
  • Yo oigo las olas del mar. - I hear the waves of the sea.
  • Nosotros oiremos el concierto este sábado. - We will hear the concert this Saturday.
  • Nosotros oímos un pájaro cantar. - We hear a bird singing.