cruzando
kroo-SAHN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estamos cruzando la calle ahora mismo, ten cuidado.
A1We are crossing the street right now, be careful.
Ella llegó a la biblioteca cruzando el parque.
A2She arrived at the library by crossing the park.
Las dos líneas de metro están cruzando justo debajo de aquí.
B1The two subway lines are intersecting right below here.
El alpinista siguió cruzando la cordillera a pesar del mal tiempo.
B2The climber kept traversing the mountain range despite the bad weather.
💡 Grammar Points
Action Happening Now
When you use 'cruzando' right after the verb 'estar' (to be), it means the action of crossing is happening at this exact moment: 'Están cruzando la frontera' (They are crossing the border).
Explaining How
The '-ando' form can describe the method or means by which you do another action, often translating to 'by crossing': 'Llegamos a casa cruzando el campo' (We arrived home by crossing the field).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gerund and Infinitive
Mistake: "Usando 'Estoy a cruzar' en lugar de 'Estoy cruzando'."
Correction: In Spanish, the continuous form uses the gerund ('-ando' form), not the infinitive ('to cross'). Say 'Estoy cruzando' (I am crossing).
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Crossing Fingers' Exception
The phrase 'cruzando los dedos' (crossing one's fingers) is a common way to express hope, just like in English. It's often used with 'estar': 'Estoy cruzando los dedos para que funcione' (I'm crossing my fingers that it works).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cruzando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'cruzando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cruzando' used for crossing physical things (like streets) and figurative things (like minds)?
Yes, 'cruzando' is versatile. You can use it for physical movement ('crossing the park') and for figurative situations ('Están cruzando un momento difícil' - They are going through a difficult time).
How is 'cruzando' different from 'atravesando'?
'Cruzando' usually emphasizes the act of going from one side to the other, often quickly or at a definite point (like a street). 'Atravesando' means 'going through' and usually implies traversing a larger, more complex space, like a jungle or a long tunnel.