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.
This table shows two verbs that follow this pattern:
| PROTEGER to protect |
DIRIGIR to lead |
|
| yo | proteja | dirija |
| tú | protejas | dirijas |
|
él / ella |
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)
- Acoger (to take in)
- 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.
Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.
It is necessary to demand an explanation.
See the List of -ger/-gir stem-changing verbs (g > j)
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
No cojas el autobús en esa esquina.
Don't catch the bus on that corner.
Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.
It is necessary to demand an explanation.
Es bueno que María dirija al grupo.
It is good that María leads the group.
Os pido que recojáis a vuestra hermana.
I am asking you to collect your sister.
No quiere que yo proteja a mis hijos tanto.
She doesn't want me to protect my children so much.
Es mejor que escojamos un vino australiano.
We'd rather choose an Australian wine.
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