A smiling child is actively extending a bright red apple with both hands towards an adult, symbolizing the action of giving.

dando

DAHN-doh

giving?as in, currently giving,handing?as in, currently handing over

Also:producing?as in, currently producing/yielding a result,hitting/striking?in phrases like 'dando golpes' (giving blows)

Quick Reference

infinitivedar

gerunddando

past Participledado

📝 In Action

Mi hermana está dando un discurso muy importante.

My sister is giving a very important speech.

Están dando el premio al mejor estudiante en este momento.

They are giving the award to the best student right now.

El sol estaba dando directamente en mis ojos, no podía ver.

The sun was shining (giving) directly into my eyes, I couldn't see.

Llevamos tres horas caminando y nos está dando mucha sed.

We've been walking for three hours and we are getting very thirsty (it is causing us thirst).

Word Connections

Synonyms

entregando (delivering)
ofreciendo (offering)

Common Collocations

estar dando – to be giving (continuous action)
ir dando – to be gradually giving
seguir dando – to keep giving

Idioms & Expressions

estar dando lata – to be bothering or annoying someone
estar dando guerra – to be causing trouble or difficulty

💡 Grammar Points

The Continuous Action Form

"Dando" is the form you use when an action is happening right now, or when it is continuous. It almost always follows a form of the verb "estar" (to be), as in: "Estoy dando" (I am giving).

When to Use Gerunds

In Spanish, the -ando ending (like 'dando') is used for verbs ending in -ar (like 'dar'). For verbs ending in -er or -ir, you use -iendo.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Infinitive Instead

Mistake: "Está dar un paseo."

Correction: Está dando un paseo. (The continuous form is needed to show the action is happening now.)

Placement with Pronouns

Mistake: "Lo está dando. (Perfectly acceptable, but less common in beginner usage.)"

Correction: Está dándolo. (In Spanish, you can attach small object words like 'lo' (it) directly to the gerund, making it 'dándolo'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

A Verb of Many Jobs

Remember that 'dar' (and thus 'dando') means more than just 'to give.' It's also used for 'to cause,' 'to hit,' or 'to start' (e.g., dando un paseo = taking a walk).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: dando

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'dando' to express an action happening right now?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

dar(to give (infinitive)) - verb

dado(given (past participle)) - adjective/participle

dádiva(gift or donation) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'dando' without 'estar'?

Yes, but less often! It's most common with 'estar' (to be) to form the progressive tense. You can also use it with verbs like 'seguir' (to continue) or 'ir' (to go) to show an ongoing action, like 'Ella sigue dando clases' (She continues giving classes).

Why does 'dando' only have one form (no changes for gender or number)?

'Dando' is a verbal adverb (a gerund), which means it describes the action itself, not the subject. Since it doesn't function as a regular adjective, it always stays the same, regardless of whether the subject is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.