limpiando
lim-pee-AN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Mi hermano está limpiando la cocina en este momento.
A1My brother is cleaning the kitchen right now.
Pasé toda la tarde limpiando el garaje, ¡estaba terrible!
A2I spent the whole afternoon cleaning the garage, it was terrible!
El equipo está limpiando los datos antes de analizarlos.
B1The team is cleaning the data before analyzing it.
💡 Grammar Points
The '-ing' Form
This word, ending in '-ando', is the Spanish way of saying the '-ing' action in English (like 'cleaning'). It describes an action that is ongoing.
Using it Right Now
To talk about what is happening right this second, you must use a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by 'limpiando': 'Estoy limpiando' (I am cleaning).
It Never Changes
'Limpiando' is an invariable form, meaning it always stays the same regardless of who is doing the cleaning or how many people there are.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy limpiando."
Correction: Estoy limpiando. You must use 'estar' when talking about ongoing actions, never 'ser'.
Using the Infinitive
Mistake: "Ella está limpiar la casa."
Correction: Ella está limpiando la casa. Remember to use the '-ando' form after 'estar' to show the action is in progress.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Seguir'
You can use 'limpiando' with the verb 'seguir' (to continue) to mean 'keep on cleaning': 'Sigo limpiando la ventana' (I keep cleaning the window).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: limpiando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'limpiando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'limpiando' ever change its ending?
No. Because 'limpiando' is a gerund (the ongoing action form), it is completely invariable. You use 'estoy limpiando,' 'están limpiando,' and 'ella estaba limpiando'—it always stays 'limpiando.'
What is the difference between 'limpiando' and 'limpieza'?
'Limpiando' is the action itself ('cleaning'), used when someone is actively doing the task. 'Limpieza' is the noun, referring to the state of being clean or the general concept of cleaning (e.g., 'La limpieza es importante' - 'Cleanliness is important').