llegando
yey-GAHN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estamos llegando tarde al aeropuerto.
A1We are arriving late to the airport.
Ella sigue llegando tarde a todas las citas.
B1She keeps arriving late to all the appointments.
La tormenta está llegando a la costa ahora mismo.
A2The storm is reaching the coast right now.
Llevamos tres horas caminando, y estamos llegando al límite.
B2We've been walking for three hours, and we are reaching the limit.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Continuous Tenses
"Llegando" is the form you use with the verb "estar" (like estoy, estás, estamos) to show that the action of arriving is happening right now or is ongoing: "Estamos llegando a casa" (We are arriving home).
The '-ando' Ending
All Spanish verbs that end in '-ar' (like llegar) change to '-ando' when you want to show that the action is currently in progress.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Simple Verb Instead of the Gerund
Mistake: "Yo llego."
Correction: Yo estoy llegando. The mistake is using the simple present, which means 'I arrive (habitually or soon),' when you mean 'I am in the process of arriving.' You need 'estar' plus 'llegando' to show the continuous action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Process
Use "llegando" when the journey or process of arrival is important. If the arrival is complete, use the past tense (llegué, llegó, etc.).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llegando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'llegando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'llegando' a verb or an adjective?
'Llegando' is a verb form, specifically the gerund (the '-ing' form). It is used to create continuous tenses, like 'We are arriving' (Estamos llegando), and always describes an action.
Can I use 'llegando' by itself without 'estar'?
Yes, but it changes its job! Used alone, it acts like an adverb, describing how or when something else happens: 'Llegando a la casa, vi a mi perro' (Arriving at the house, I saw my dog).