Now we’ll take it one step farther so you can learn how to say phrases like “I am living” and “She is eating”. All you have to do is conjugate a form of the verb “estar”, then add the “ing” ending on the verbs.
First, let’s review the forms of estar:
Yo estoy | Nosotros estamos | As I mentioned before, after choosing the correct form of “estar”, you simply add “ando” on the end of “ar” verbs and “iendo” on the end of “er” and “ir” verbs. |
Tú estás | Vosotros estáis (Remember, this is only used in Spain) | |
El, Ella, or Ud. está | And finally, ellos, ellas or Uds. Están |
Take a look at a few examples of doing verbs:
The phrase “I am eating” would be “Estoy comiendo”.
“She is studying” would be “Está estudiando”
“They are dancing” would be “Están bailando”
“We are preparing” would be “Estamos preparando”
“I am writing” would be “Estoy escribiendo”
And finally, “Juan, you are eating lunch” would be “(Juan) Estás almorzando”.
“She is studying” would be “Está estudiando”
“They are dancing” would be “Están bailando”
“We are preparing” would be “Estamos preparando”
“I am writing” would be “Estoy escribiendo”
And finally, “Juan, you are eating lunch” would be “(Juan) Estás almorzando”.
Now a key to the “progressive tense” or “doing verbs” is that the person has to be doing the action at the very moment, it’s being said. For example, if I say “I am eating” or “Estoy comiendo”, I would have to actually be eating right when I say it. In other words, if I say, “He is eating more lately”, I wouldn’t automatically use a “doing verb” or the “progressive tense”, because he isn’t necessarily eating, right now.
Practice Session
To begin our practice session, first have someone say the phrases in English, and you say them out loud in Spanish.
I am dancing | Estoy bailando |
He is drawing | Está dibujando |
She is studying | Está estudiando |
(Juan) Are you eating breakfast? | ¿Estás desayunando? |
Pedro is fixing the car | Pedro está arreglando el carro |
(Mr. Garcia) You are helping a lot | Está ayundando mucho |
We are jumping | Estamos saltando |
They aren’t listening | No está escuchando |
He is looking for his keys | Está buscando sus llaves |
Are all of you painting the house? | ¿Están pintando la casa? |
I am practicing. | Estoy practicando |
She is swimming | Está nadando |