Present Progressive in Spanish: estar + gerundio
Short answer
Estar plus the gerund (-ando for -ar verbs, -iendo for -er and -ir) describes what is happening right now: estoy comiendo. Unlike English, Spanish does not use it for future plans — for those use the present or ir a + infinitive.
Level A2 · verbs, present
The rule in full
For what is happening right now.
estar + gerundio
| Infinitive ends in | Gerundio | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ar | -ando | hablar → hablando |
| -er / -ir | -iendo | comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo |
- Estoy trabajando. ¿Qué estás haciendo?
Irregular gerundios
| Verb | Gerundio |
|---|---|
| leer | leyendo |
| oír | oyendo |
| dormir | durmiendo |
| pedir | pidiendo |
| decir | diciendo |
| ir | yendo |
Unlike English, Spanish does not use this for the future: say Mañana voy a Madrid, not estoy yendo.
Check yourself
4 questions, with the reason for each answer.
Question 1 of 40 correct
Ahora ___ estudiando.
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