Inklingo

construyendo

kons-tru-YEN-dohkonstɾuˈʝendo

construyendo means building in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

building, constructing

Also: erecting
A2irregular (i-y stem change) ir
A construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety vest places a single red brick onto a partially built wall, symbolizing physical construction.
infinitiveconstruir
gerundconstruyendo
past Participleconstruido

📝 In Action

Están construyendo un nuevo puente sobre el río.

A2

They are building a new bridge over the river.

Mi padre ha estado construyendo una casa en el campo durante años.

B1

My father has been constructing a house in the countryside for years.

Si seguimos construyendo con ladrillos, terminaremos pronto.

B1

If we keep building with bricks, we will finish soon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • edificando (building (formal))
  • levantando (raising, putting up)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar construyendoto be building (right now)
  • seguir construyendoto continue building

developing, establishing

Also: creating
B2irregular (i-y stem change) irneutral/formal
A thoughtful person sits at a wooden table, carefully stacking three colorful, distinct wooden blocks to form a stable tower, symbolizing the development of an idea or system.
infinitiveconstruir
gerundconstruyendo
past Participleconstruido

📝 In Action

Ella está construyendo su carrera profesional con mucho esfuerzo.

B2

She is building (developing) her professional career with great effort.

Los diplomáticos están construyendo la base de un nuevo acuerdo de paz.

C1

The diplomats are building (establishing) the foundation for a new peace agreement.

Estamos construyendo una narrativa que justifique nuestras acciones.

C1

We are constructing a narrative that justifies our actions.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desarrollando (developing)
  • estableciendo (establishing)

Antonyms

  • deshaciendo (undoing)

Common Collocations

  • construyendo relacionesbuilding relationships
  • construyendo un argumentoconstructing an argument

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedconstruye
yoconstruyo
construyes
ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyen
nosotrosconstruimos
vosotrosconstruís

imperfect

él/ella/ustedconstruía
yoconstruía
construías
ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruían
nosotrosconstruíamos
vosotrosconstruíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedconstruyó
yoconstruí
construiste
ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyeron
nosotrosconstruimos
vosotrosconstruisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedconstruya
yoconstruya
construyas
ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyan
nosotrosconstruyamos
vosotrosconstruyáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedconstruyera
yoconstruyera
construyeras
ellos/ellas/ustedesconstruyeran
nosotrosconstruyéramos
vosotrosconstruyerais

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: construyendo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'construyendo' to describe an ongoing action?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The verb 'construir' comes from the Latin verb *construere*, meaning 'to pile up' or 'to put together.' It has always been associated with the act of assembling parts to create a whole structure.

First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

English: constructFrench: construirePortuguese: construindo

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'construyendo' different from 'construido'?

'Construyendo' is the action happening *now* (building). 'Construido' is the past form (built). Think of 'construyendo' as '-ing' and 'construido' as '-ed' or the result of the action.

Can I use 'ser' instead of 'estar' with 'construyendo'?

No. When you are describing an ongoing action using the '-ing' form ('construyendo'), you must always use the verb 'estar' (to be) to form the progressive tenses ('Estamos construyendo'). 'Ser' is used for permanent characteristics, not temporary actions.