Looking for a clear, organized list of stem-changing verbs in Spanish?
You’re in the right place!
In this guide, you’ll find over 150 essential verbs, grouped by verb ending and stem change type, plus explanations, examples, and a free downloadable PDF.
🧠 Quick Tip: Stem-changing verbs are also called shoe verbs or boot verbs because their stem changes occur in a boot-shaped pattern on the conjugation chart.
👉 Learn more about how stem-changing verbs work here: https://spanishwithtati.com/spanish-stem-changing-verbs-for-beginners
What Are Stem-Changing Verbs in Spanish?
A stem-changing verb changes the vowel in its stem when conjugated in the present tense — usually in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Examples:
-
pensar → yo pienso
-
dormir → ella duerme
-
pedir → tú pides
🌱 AR Verbs – E to IE Change
pensar (think)
acertar (guess)
alentar (encourage)
apretar (tighten)
arrendar (rent)
asentar (settle)
aterrar (terrify)
atravesar (cross)
calentar (heat)
cegar (blind)
cerrar (close)
comenzar (start)
concertar (conclude)
confesar (confess)
denegar (deny)
desalentar (discourage)
desconcertar (confuse)
desenterrar (dig up)
deshelar (defrost)
despertar (wake up)
desplegar (display)
desterrar (expatriate)
emparentar (relate)
empezar (begin)
encerrar (confine)
encomendar (entrust)
enmendar (amend)
enterrar (bury)
gobernar (govern)
helar (freeze)
invernar (winter)
manifestar (express)
mentar (mention)
merendar (eat an afternoon snack)
negar (deny)
nevar (to snow – impersonal)
quebrar (break)
recalentar (reheat)
recomendar (recommend)
regar (water)
remendar (patch)
renegar (deny)
restregar (scrub)
reventar (burst)
salpimentar (season with salt and pepper)
segar (reap)
sembrar (sow)
sentar (seat)
serrar (saw)
sosegar (calm)
soterrar (underground)
temblar (shake)
tentar (tempt)
tropezar (trip)
🌳 AR Verbs – O to UE Change
recordar (remember)
acordar (agree)
apostar (bet)
aprobar (approve)
asolar (destroy)
colar (strain)
comprobar (check)
concordar (agree)
consolar (comfort)
contar (count)
costar (cost)
demostrar (demonstrate)
desaprobar (disapprove)
descontar (discount)
encontrar (find)
engrosar (swell)
mostrar (show)
poblar (populate)
probar (try)
recostar (tilt)
renovar (renew)
repoblar (repopulate)
reprobar (fail)
resonar (resonate)
rodar (roll)
sobrevolar (overfly)
soldar (weld)
soltar (release)
sonar (sound)
soñar (dream)
tostar (toast)
tronar (to thunder – impersonal)
volar (fly)
volcar (overturn)
🌼 ER Verbs – E to IE Change
querer (love, want)
ascender (promote)
atender (attend)
defender (defend)
desatender (neglect)
descender (descend)
encender (turn on)
entender (understand)
extender (extend)
perder (lose)
tender (tend)
trascender (transcend)
verter (pour)
🌊 ER Verbs – O to UE Change
poder (can, be able to)
absolver (absolve)
conmover (stir)
demoler (demolish)
desenvolver (unfold)
devolver (return)
disolver (dissolve)
doler (hurt)
envolver (wrap)
llover (to rain – impersonal)
moler (grind)
morder (bite)
mover (move)
promover (promote)
remorder (chew)
remover (remove)
resolver (solve)
revolver (scramble)
🔥 IR Verbs – E to IE Change
preferir (prefer)
mentir (lie)
concernir (concern)
adherir (adhere, attach)
adquirir (acquire, buy)
diferir (differ, defer)
digerir (digest, absorb)
herir (hurt, injure)
inferir (infer, conclude)
ingerir (ingest)
interferir (interfere)
referir (refer, relate)
transferir (transfer)
discernir (discern)
divertir (entertain, amuse)
sentir (feel)
revertir (reverse)
resentir (resent)
presentir (sense)
invertir (invest)
🌟 IR Verbs – E to I Change
seguir (follow)
sonreír (smile)
repetir (repeat)
teñir (dye)
elegir (choose)
regir (govern)
pedir (ask)
derretir (melt)
despedir (dismiss)
freír (fry)
gemir (groan)
impedir (prevent)
servir (help)
rendir (render)
reñir (quarrel)
medir (measure)
vestir (dress)
🌘 IR Verbs – O to UE Change
morir (die)
dormir (sleep)
📝 Download the Free PDF Cheat Sheet!
Want to keep this list handy while you study?
❓ FAQ: Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs
1. What are stem-changing verbs in Spanish?
They’re verbs where the vowel in the stem changes when conjugated (except in nosotros and vosotros).
2. How do I know if a verb is stem-changing?
You need to memorize common ones. Most are irregular in present tense and belong to AR, ER, or IR groups.
3. Do IR stem-changing verbs follow special rules?
Yes! IR stem-changing verbs include E → I changes, which don’t exist in AR or ER verbs.
4. Are there tricks to remember them?
Group them by vowel change and verb ending. That’s why we built this guide for you!
Think this is neat? Share it with your friends!
