How do I form the Spanish gerundio?

Drop the infinitive ending. Add -ando for -ar verbs (hablar → hablando), -iendo for -er and -ir (comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo). When the stem ends in a vowel, use -yendo (leer → leyendo).

Is the Spanish gerundio the same as English -ing?

No. They overlap in progressive constructions (I'm eating = Estoy comiendo). But Spanish uses the INFINITIVE where English uses -ing as a noun: I like swimming = Me gusta nadar (not nadando).

When do -ir verbs change their stem in the gerundio?

-ir stem-changers undergo e→i or o→u in the gerundio: dormir → durmiendo, pedir → pidiendo, sentir → sintiendo. -ar and -er stem-changers do NOT change.

How can I master the Spanish gerundio?

Practice with estar + gerundio (the progressive) first. Then learn the simultaneous-action use (Llegué corriendo). Avoid the trap of using gerundio as a noun, that's always infinitive. Parrot's videos model both correctly.

Spanish grammar · Intermediate

Spanish Gerundio: -Ando / -Iendo Forms

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

The Spanish gerundio (-ando / -iendo) is the verbal form used in progressive constructions (estar + gerundio) and to express simultaneous actions. NOT equivalent to English -ing as a noun (Spanish uses the infinitive for that).

Estoy hablando contigo.

I'm talking with you.

What it is

The Spanish gerundio (-ando for -ar verbs, -iendo for -er / -ir verbs) is used in progressive constructions (estar + gerundio = ongoing action) and to express simultaneous actions. Critically, it's NOT equivalent to English -ing as a noun, Spanish uses the infinitive for that (Comer es importante = Eating is important).

Estoy hablando contigo (I'm talking with you), gerundio in a progressive construction. Llegué corriendo (I arrived running), gerundio for simultaneous action. But: Me gusta nadar (I like swimming), infinitive, NOT nadando.

How to spot it

Look for words ending in -ando, -iendo, or -yendo. Always invariable (no gender / number agreement).

Estoy comiendo. — I'm eating.
Sigue lloviendo. — It keeps raining.
Llegué cantando. — I arrived singing.

Many English speakers wrongly translate -ing as gerundio in every context. Use gerundio ONLY for ongoing action or manner, never as a noun.

Spanish Gerundio Quick Reference

Forming the Spanish gerundio

Verb Type	Ending	Example
-ar verbs	-ando	hablar → hablando
-er verbs	-iendo	comer → comiendo
-ir verbs	-iendo	vivir → viviendo
Stem-change -ir	-iendo with stem change	dormir → durmiendo, pedir → pidiendo
Vowel + er/ir	-yendo (between vowels)	leer → leyendo, oír → oyendo, ir → yendo

Common Spanish Gerundio Examples in Spanish

Gerundio in real Spanish contexts:

Estar + Gerundio, Progressive

Estoy estudiando.: I'm studying.
Estamos comiendo.: We're eating.
Estaba lloviendo cuando salí.: It was raining when I left.

Estar + gerundio = the action is happening right now or was happening at a specific past moment.

Other Verbs + Gerundio (Seguir, Andar, Llevar)

Sigue lloviendo.: It keeps raining.
Anda buscando trabajo.: He's going around looking for work.
Llevo dos años estudiando.: I've been studying for two years.

Seguir / continuar / andar / llevar + gerundio express continuous or ongoing action with extra nuance.

Manner / Simultaneous Action

Llegué corriendo.: I arrived running.
Habla cantando.: He talks while singing.
Me dormí leyendo.: I fell asleep reading.

Gerundio modifies a verb, showing how or while.

Don't Use as a Noun

Me gusta nadar. (NOT nadando): I like swimming.
Comer es importante. (NOT comiendo): Eating is important.

Spanish uses the INFINITIVE where English uses -ing as a noun. Big difference from English.

How to Form and Use the Spanish Gerundio

Form: -Ando (-ar) / -Iendo (-er, -ir)

Drop the infinitive ending. Add -ando for -ar verbs, -iendo for -er and -ir verbs.

hablar → hablando. comer → comiendo. vivir → viviendo.

Talking. Eating. Living.

Gerundio is invariable, never agrees with gender or number.

Spelling: -Yendo Between Vowels

When the stem ends in a vowel and the verb is -er / -ir, the gerundio uses -yendo (not -iendo).

leer → leyendo. oír → oyendo. ir → yendo. caer → cayendo.

Reading. Hearing. Going. Falling.

Avoids three vowels in a row. Ir's gerundio (yendo) is sometimes replaced by another expression: andar + verb.

Stem-Changers (-ir Only)

-ir stem-changers also change their stem in the gerundio: e→i, o→u.

dormir → durmiendo. pedir → pidiendo. servir → sirviendo.

Sleeping. Asking. Serving.

-ar and -er stem-changers do NOT change in the gerundio. Pensar → pensando (not pinsando).

Use with Pronouns: Before Auxiliary or Attached

Object pronouns either go before the auxiliary verb (estar / seguir) or attach to the gerundio. Both correct.

Lo estoy comiendo. = Estoy comiéndolo.

I'm eating it.

If attached, an accent goes on the originally stressed vowel: estudiándolo, hablándole.

Common Mistakes with Spanish Gerundio

Incorrect: Me gusta nadando. — I like swimming. (wrong, needs infinitive)

Correct: Me gusta nadar. — I like swimming.

Spanish uses the INFINITIVE where English uses -ing as a noun. Me gusta + infinitive. Nadando is wrong here.

Incorrect: Estoy durmir. — I'm sleeping. (wrong, needs gerundio)

Correct: Estoy durmiendo. — I'm sleeping.

Estar + gerundio (not infinitive) forms the progressive. Use -ando / -iendo, not the infinitive.

Incorrect: Estoy leiendo. — I'm reading. (wrong, spelling)

Correct: Estoy leyendo. — I'm reading.

When the stem ends in a vowel, -iendo becomes -yendo to avoid three vowels in a row. Leer → leyendo, oír → oyendo.

Spanish Doesn't Use Gerundio as a Noun

Use Infinitive for Noun -Ing

When English uses -ing as a NOUN (the action itself), Spanish uses the INFINITIVE.

Me gusta nadar.: I like swimming.
Estudiar es importante.: Studying is important.
Antes de comer, lávate las manos.: Before eating, wash your hands.

Triple test: if you could replace -ing with the noun version of the verb (the act of doing X), use infinitive.

Gerundio is for Action, Not Description

Don't use gerundio as an adjective. Spanish has past participles (cubierto, dormido) for that role.

El niño dormido. (NOT durmiendo as adjective): The sleeping child.
Una novela emocionante. (adjective form, not gerundio): An exciting novel.

Gerundio is verbal (showing action). Adjectives that describe state use other forms.

Spanish Gerundio FAQs

What is the Spanish gerundio?: The Spanish gerundio is the -ando / -iendo form used in progressive constructions (estar + gerundio = ongoing action) and to express simultaneous actions or manner. It's invariable, never changes for gender or number.
How do I form the Spanish gerundio?: Drop the infinitive ending. Add -ando for -ar verbs (hablar → hablando), -iendo for -er and -ir (comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo). When the stem ends in a vowel, use -yendo (leer → leyendo).
Is the Spanish gerundio the same as English -ing?: No. They overlap in progressive constructions (I'm eating = Estoy comiendo). But Spanish uses the INFINITIVE where English uses -ing as a noun: I like swimming = Me gusta nadar (not nadando).
When do -ir verbs change their stem in the gerundio?: -ir stem-changers undergo e→i or o→u in the gerundio: dormir → durmiendo, pedir → pidiendo, sentir → sintiendo. -ar and -er stem-changers do NOT change.
How can I master the Spanish gerundio?: Practice with estar + gerundio (the progressive) first. Then learn the simultaneous-action use (Llegué corriendo). Avoid the trap of using gerundio as a noun, that's always infinitive. Parrot's videos model both correctly.