Inklingo

cubriendo

koo-bree-EHN-dohkuˈβɾjendo

cubriendo means covering in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

covering

Also: protecting, hiding
VerbA2irregular (past participle only) ir
A cozy scene showing a person placing a soft blue blanket over a sleeping child.
gerundcubriendo
past Participlecubierto
infinitivecubrir

📝 In Action

Ella está cubriendo al bebé con una manta.

A2

She is covering the baby with a blanket.

Las nubes están cubriendo el sol.

A2

The clouds are covering the sun.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tapando (covering/plugging)
  • envolviendo (wrapping)

Antonyms

  • descubriendo (uncovering/discovering)
  • destapando (uncovering/opening)

Common Collocations

  • está cubriendois covering
  • terminó cubriendoended up covering

reporting on, paying for

Also: traveling a distance, filling in
VerbB2irregular (past participle only) ir
A journalist holding a microphone while standing in front of a busy city street.
gerundcubriendo
past Participlecubierto
infinitivecubrir

📝 In Action

El reportero está cubriendo las elecciones.

B2

The reporter is covering the elections.

Mi seguro no está cubriendo este tratamiento.

B1

My insurance isn't covering this treatment.

Estamos cubriendo mucho terreno hoy.

B1

We are covering a lot of ground today.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • informando (reporting)
  • pagando (paying)

Common Collocations

  • cubriendo la noticiacovering the news
  • cubriendo los gastoscovering the costs

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yocubriera
cubrieras
él/ella/ustedcubriera
nosotroscubriéramos
vosotroscubrierais
ellos/ellas/ustedescubrieran

Present Subjunctive

yocubra
cubras
él/ella/ustedcubra
nosotroscubramos
vosotroscubráis
ellos/ellas/ustedescubran

Indicative

Preterite

yocubrí
cubriste
él/ella/ustedcubrió
nosotroscubrimos
vosotroscubristeis
ellos/ellas/ustedescubrieron

Imperfect

yocubría
cubrías
él/ella/ustedcubría
nosotroscubríamos
vosotroscubríais
ellos/ellas/ustedescubrían

Present

yocubro
cubres
él/ella/ustedcubre
nosotroscubrimos
vosotroscubrís
ellos/ellas/ustedescubren

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cubriendo

Question 1 of 2

Which of these best describes 'cubriendo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'cooperire', which means 'to cover completely'. It combines 'co-' (together) and 'operire' (to cover).

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: couvrantEnglish: coveringItalian: coprendo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cubriendo' irregular?

The form 'cubriendo' itself is regular (it follows the standard -iendo ending for -ir verbs). However, the parent verb 'cubrir' has an irregular past participle: 'cubierto' (covered) instead of 'cubrido'.

Can 'cubriendo' mean 'protecting'?

Yes! It can be used figuratively to mean you are protecting someone's back or that an insurance policy is protecting you against costs.