Conjugate Spanish -ger and -gir verbs: g > j in the present subjunctive (El Presente de Subjuntivo)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2022-06-15
3 questions

Spanish -ger and -gir verbs undergo a consonant change in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish.

Learn how to conjugate -ger and -gir verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

Spanish verbs ending in -ger / -gir replace the -g- with a -j- in all forms in El Presente de Subjuntivo. This is to maintain the original sound of the infinitive.

Two common verbs that undergo this change are proteger (to protect) and dirigir (to lead).

Conjugation of proteger and dirigir in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

  PROTEGER
to protect		 DIRIGIR
to lead
 yo proteja dirija
 tú protejas dirijas

él / ella
usted

 proteja dirija
nosotros 
nosotras		 protejamos dirijamos
vosotros 
vosotras		 protejáis dirijáis
ellos / ellas
ustedes		 protejan dirijan

Notice how the -g- from the infinitive has switched to a -j- in all forms.

Other verbs affected by this change are:

  • Coger (to take) Note that Latin American Spanish speakers use the verb "tomar" instead of 'coger".
  • Acoger  (to take in/to receive)
  • Recoger  (to pick up)
  • Escoger  (to choose)
  • Exigir  (to demand)
  • Sumergir  (to plunge)
  • Fingir  (to pretend)

 Have a look and listen to these examples:

No quiere que yo proteja a mis hijos tanto.She doesn't want me to protect my children so much.

No cojas el autobús en esa esquina.Don't catch the bus on that corner.

Es bueno que María dirija al grupo.It is good that María leads the group.

Es mejor que escojamos un vino australiano.We'd rather choose an Australian wine.

Os pido que recojáis a vuestra hermana.I am asking you to collect your sister. [you=vosotros]

Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.It is necessary to demand an explanation.

Es imprescindible que ustedes protejan a los jóvenes.It's necessary that you protect the young.

See the List of Spanish -ger/-gir stem-changing verbs (g > j) 

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Examples and resources

No quiere que yo proteja a mis hijos tanto.She doesn't want me to protect my children so much.
Es bueno que María dirija al grupo.It is good that María leads the group.
Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.It is necessary to demand an explanation.
No cojas el autobús en esa esquina.Don't catch the bus on that corner.
Es mejor que escojamos un vino australiano.We'd rather choose an Australian wine.
Es imprescindible que ustedes protejan a los jóvenes.It's necessary that you protect the young.
Os pido que recojáis a vuestra hermana.I am asking you to collect your sister. [you=vosotros]
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