grabando
/grah-BAHN-doh/
recording
Grabando can mean 'recording,' often referring to capturing audio or video.
grabando(Verb (Gerund))
recording
?audio, video, or data
,taping
?using a camera or microphone
filming
?making a movie or video
,saving (data)
?writing data to a disk
📝 In Action
Estamos grabando un mensaje para mi abuela.
A1We are recording a message for my grandmother.
¿Estás grabando el concierto con tu celular?
A2Are you filming the concert with your cell phone?
La cámara de seguridad estuvo grabando toda la noche.
B1The security camera was recording all night.
💡 Grammar Points
Continuous Action
The word 'grabando' is the '-ing' form of 'grabar.' It is almost always used right after the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that an action is happening right now: 'Estoy grabando' (I am recording).
Implied Action
You can sometimes use 'grabando' alone, like an adverb, to describe how someone is doing something: 'Aprendió español viendo y grabando películas' (He learned Spanish by watching and recording movies).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy grabando."
Correction: Estoy grabando. Remember, the continuous action form (the -ing form) always uses the temporary verb 'estar', not the permanent verb 'ser'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Attaching Pronouns
When using 'grabando' with a pronoun (like 'lo' for 'it'), you can attach it to the end: 'Estoy grabándolo' (I am recording it). Just remember to add an accent mark (grabándolo) to keep the stress on the 'a' sound.
Grabando can also mean 'engraving,' the act of carving into a surface.
grabando(Verb (Gerund))
engraving
?carving into a surface
,etching
?marking a surface with acid or a tool
inscribing
?writing on a durable material
📝 In Action
El joyero está grabando las iniciales en el anillo.
B1The jeweler is engraving the initials on the ring.
Están grabando un mensaje en la piedra para la historia.
B2They are carving a message into the stone for history.
💡 Grammar Points
Same Form, Different Meaning
Notice how 'grabando' uses the exact same form for both 'recording a video' and 'engraving a surface.' Context is key to knowing which meaning is intended.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: grabando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'grabando' in the sense of 'engraving' or 'carving'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'grabando' the same as 'grabado'?
No. 'Grabando' is the continuous action form (like '-ing' in English: 'recording'). 'Grabado' is the past participle form (like '-ed' in English: 'recorded' or 'engraving'). They are used in different parts of speech and tenses.
Can I use 'grabando' without the verb 'estar'?
Yes, but it's less common. When used alone, it functions like an adverb, describing how an action is being done: 'Vino corriendo y cantando' (He came running and singing). It describes the manner of the action.