Spanish Phrase
Primero, voy a hablar...
Meaning
The speaker is signalling that the first thing they will discuss is about to be spoken. It works like ‘First, I’m going to talk about…’ and sets up a list or a series of points.
When to use
Use this phrase at the start of a presentation, lecture, meeting, or any situation where you are outlining several ideas. It works both in formal settings (classrooms, conferences) and informal ones (storytelling among friends).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Primero,voyahablar...
Primero (adverb)
Used to indicate the first point in a sequence; it can be placed at the beginning of a sentence.
Ir a + infinitive
The construction 'voy a + infinitive' expresses a near‑future action, similar to 'I'm going to…' in English.
Ellipsis (…)
Three dots signal that the speaker will continue; in writing they are optional but add a conversational tone.
🗨In Conversation
Primero, voy a hablar sobre los beneficios del reciclaje.
First, I'm going to talk about the benefits of recycling.
Muy bien, ¿qué datos tienes para respaldar eso?
Great, what data do you have to back that up?
✕Common Mistakes
Voy a hablaré sobre el tema.
Do not combine 'voy a' with a conjugated verb; use either 'voy a hablar' (near future) or 'hablaré' (simple future).
Primero, hablo sobre la historia.
Using present tense here loses the sense of sequencing; 'Primero, voy a hablar' correctly signals the upcoming action.
Primero voy a hablar sobre...
Missing the comma can make the phrase feel rushed; a small pause after 'Primero' improves clarity.
↔Alternatives
En primer lugar, hablaré...
In the first place, I will talk...
Primero, me gustaría comentar...
First, I would like to comment...
Para empezar, voy a decir...
To start, I'm going to say...
Cultural Tip
In Spanish presentations, 'Primero' is perfectly acceptable, but 'En primer lugar' sounds a bit more formal and is often preferred in academic or business contexts. Avoid over‑using ellipsis in written material; they are best kept for spoken‑style scripts or informal notes.