To focus on an action in progress, Spanish can combine a present form of estar with a gerund.
The idea
Use estar plus a gerund: estoy preparando, estamos viviendo. Regular -ar verbs form the gerund with -ando, and regular -er and -ir verbs use -iendo. Some forms change spelling: leer becomes leyendo.
Examples
- Estoy preparando la cena.I am preparing dinner.
- ¿Estás esperando el autobús?Are you waiting for the bus?
- Ella está leyendo un libro.She is reading a book.
- Estamos viviendo en Sevilla este año.We are living in Seville this year.
- Los niños están jugando fuera.The children are playing outside.
- No estoy trabajando ahora.I am not working now.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Spanish device voice is available. You can still read the text.
Watch out
The present progressive highlights an action in progress; Spanish also often uses the simple present for present actions. Do not conjugate the gerund for the subject.
Try it yourself
Yo ___ preparando la cena. (estoy / somos)
Show answer or example answer
estoy
Estoy is the form of estar for yo.
Nosotros estamos ___ en Sevilla. (viviendo / vivimos)
Show answer or example answer
viviendo
Viviendo is the gerund of vivir.
Ella está ___. (leyendo / leer)
Show answer or example answer
leyendo
The gerund of leer is spelled leyendo.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Yo ___ preparando la cena. (estoy / somos)
Nosotros estamos ___ en Sevilla. (viviendo / vivimos)
Ella está ___. (leyendo / leer)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe what you are doing now and what another person is doing. Use different verbs.