The gerund, the -ndo form
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
La vela se (derretirse).
The candle is melting.
The rule
Spanish has a verb form ending in -ndo (hablando, comiendo) that looks like English -ing. But it is narrower: it only describes actions in progress or how something happens. Where English uses -ing as a noun ("swimming is fun"), Spanish uses the infinitive instead. This lesson covers when to use -ndo and when to reach for the infinitive.
The pattern
Form the -ndo form from the infinitive: -ando for -ar verbs, -iendo for -er/-ir verbs.
| Infinitive | -ndo form |
|---|---|
| hablar | hablando |
| comer | comiendo |
| vivir | viviendo |
Common irregular forms: dormir becomes durmiendo, leer becomes leyendo, pedir becomes pidiendo, ir becomes yendo, decir becomes diciendo.
The main use is estar + -ndo for actions in progress: estoy trabajando, estaba durmiendo.
Other uses: seguir/continuar + -ndo for an action that continues (sigue nevando), and -ndo on its own for how an action happens (salió corriendo).
For English -ing used as a noun or general activity, use the infinitive: nadar es divertido (swimming is fun), me gusta correr (I like running).
Examples
- Ana está cantandoAna is singing
- Estoy leyendo un libroI am reading a book
- Estaba durmiendo cuando llamasteI was sleeping when you called
- Sigue nevandoIt keeps snowing
- Salió corriendoHe left running
- Nadar es divertidoSwimming is fun
- Me gusta correrI like running
Watch out
- Comiendo es importante. Comer es importante.When -ing is the subject in English, Spanish uses the infinitive.
- Me gusta corriendo. Me gusta correr.After gustar, use the infinitive for the activity you like.
- El hombre caminando vive aquí. El hombre que camina vive aquí.To describe or identify a person, use que + conjugated verb, not -ndo.