Gerundio in Spanish: Forms and How to Use It
The Spanish gerundio is the equivalent of the English '-ing' form, but with stricter usage rules. It is formed by replacing the infinitive ending: -ar → -ando (hablando), -er → -iendo (comiendo), -ir → -iendo (viviendo). Irregular gerundios appear when a stem vowel changes (e → i for -IR verbs: pidiendo, sintiendo) or when an -i- between vowels turns into -y- (leyendo, oyendo, construyendo). The gerundio pairs with estar to form progressive tenses: 'estoy hablando' (I am speaking).
How to form the gerundio
For -AR verbs: drop -ar, add -ando. For -ER and -IR verbs: drop the ending, add -iendo. Special cases: -IR verbs with stem-change e → i (sentir → sintiendo). When -i- falls between vowels, it changes to -y-: leer → leyendo, construir → construyendo, oír → oyendo.
| Verb type | Infinitive | Gerundio | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| regular -AR | hablar | hablando | Estoy hablando. |
| regular -ER | comer | comiendo | Está comiendo. |
| regular -IR | vivir | viviendo | Estamos viviendo aquí. |
| stem e → i | sentir | sintiendo | Estoy sintiendo dolor. |
| i → y | leer | leyendo | Está leyendo el libro. |
| i → y | construir | construyendo | Están construyendo. |
| i → y | oír | oyendo | Estoy oyendo música. |
| irregular | ir | yendo | Estoy yendo al trabajo. |
| irregular | poder | pudiendo | Está pudiendo dormir. |
When to use the gerundio
- With estar to form progressive tenses: 'estoy estudiando' (I am studying), 'estaba estudiando' (I was studying), 'estaré estudiando' (I will be studying).
- After verbs of motion: 'salió corriendo' (he ran out), 'vino caminando' (she came walking).
- To express manner or simultaneous action: 'Habla gritando' (he speaks shouting).
- After seguir, continuar, llevar: 'Sigo trabajando' (I keep working), 'Llevo dos años estudiando español' (I've been studying Spanish for two years).
Common gerundios with estar
| Person / verb | Form | Example (Spanish) | Translation (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo (hablar) | hablando | Estoy hablando por teléfono. | I am speaking on the phone. |
| tú (comer) | comiendo | Estás comiendo demasiado rápido. | You are eating too fast. |
| él (leer) | leyendo | Está leyendo un libro nuevo. | He is reading a new book. |
| nosotros (dormir) | durmiendo | Estamos durmiendo poco esta semana. | We are sleeping little this week. |
| ellos (construir) | construyendo | Están construyendo una casa nueva. | They are building a new house. |
Important rules
Not for future or scheduled events
English: 'I am working tomorrow' (future). Spanish: 'Trabajo mañana' (present indicative). Never 'estoy trabajando mañana'.
Not as a noun
English: 'Swimming is fun.' Spanish: 'Nadar es divertido' — use the infinitive, not the gerundio.
Not as adjective
English: 'a sleeping baby'. Spanish: 'un bebé dormido' (past participle as adjective), not 'durmiendo'.
Pronoun attachment
Object pronouns can attach to the gerundio (with an accent: 'mirándome') or go before the conjugated verb: 'estoy mirándote' = 'te estoy mirando'.
Gerundio — frequently asked
- What is the gerundio in Spanish?
- The gerundio is the Spanish equivalent of the English '-ing' form, ending in -ando (-AR verbs) or -iendo (-ER/-IR verbs). It indicates an action in progress and pairs with estar to form the progressive tenses.
- How do you form the gerundio in Spanish?
- -AR verbs: drop -ar, add -ando (hablar → hablando). -ER and -IR verbs: drop the ending, add -iendo (comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo). Special cases: e → i for stem-changing -IR verbs (sentir → sintiendo), and i → y between vowels (leer → leyendo, construir → construyendo).
- What are some irregular gerundios in Spanish?
- ir → yendo, poder → pudiendo, dormir → durmiendo, morir → muriendo, sentir → sintiendo, pedir → pidiendo, decir → diciendo, venir → viniendo, leer → leyendo, oír → oyendo, traer → trayendo, construir → construyendo.
- What is the gerundio of leer?
- Leyendo. The -i- between two vowels changes to -y-. The same rule applies to oír (oyendo), creer (creyendo), and construir (construyendo).
- Can the gerundio be used like the English '-ing' form?
- No, not always. Spanish does NOT use the gerundio as a noun ('swimming is fun' = 'nadar es divertido', not 'nadando') or as a regular adjective ('a sleeping baby' = 'un bebé dormido'). It primarily works as a verbal complement, especially with estar.
Keep going
Continue with the directly related tense, verb, and comparison pages.