"Ir" and "Irse" in Spanish

Quick Answer

Learners of Spanish often have trouble distinguishing when to use ir (to go) and irse (to leave). Below you'll find some tips and examples to help you on your way to becoming the master of the ir / irse distinction.

All about Ir

Ir is an irregular, intransitive verb that is used to refer to a destination.
Ir often makes use of prepositions such as a, hacia, and hasta.

examples
Voy a la tienda. I am going to the store.
Fuimos hasta la esquina. We went to the corner.

Ir can also be used to indicate a mode of transportation where there is an unspoken or implied destination.

examples
Van en avión. They are going (somewhere) by plane.
¿Vas a pie? Are you going (somewhere) on foot?

Ir is used with a to form the periphrastic future. This future form uses the formula ir + a + verb in the infinitive.

examples
Va a almorzar a las doce. He is going to have lunch at noon.
Voy a ir a la escuela mañana. I'm going to go to school tomorrow.

Want to learn more about ir? Check out these articles!

Expressions with "Ir"

Informal Future in Spanish

All about Irse

Irse is a pronominal verb that uses reflexive pronouns and tends to focus on the act of leaving a starting point or origin. The origin is presumed to be here (or wherever the subject is at the time).
Irse often makes use of prepositions such as deand desde.

examples
Tengo que irme de aquí. I have to leave here.
¿Te vas a las seis? Are you leaving at six?
¡No se vayan! Don't go!
¿Por qué te vas tan temprano? Why are you leaving so soon?