Inklingo

persiguiendo

per-si-gyen-do/peɾsiˈɣjen̪d̪o/

chasing, running after

Also: pursuing
Verb (Gerund)A2irregular (E>I stem change) ir
A colorful illustration showing a child in a blue shirt running quickly after another child in a red shirt across a grassy hill, illustrating a physical chase.
infinitiveperseguir
gerundpersiguiendo
past Participleperseguido

📝 In Action

El perro está persiguiendo su propia cola sin parar.

A2

The dog is chasing its own tail non-stop.

La policía andaba persiguiendo al sospechoso por toda la ciudad.

B1

The police were chasing the suspect all over the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • corriendo detrás (running behind)
  • siguiendo (following)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar persiguiendoto be chasing (right now)

pursuing, striving for

Also: going after
Verb (Gerund)B1irregular (E>I stem change) ir
A storybook illustration of a person hiking up a winding path, focused on a small, shiny golden trophy visible far away on the top of a mountain, symbolizing pursuing a goal.
infinitiveperseguir
gerundpersiguiendo
past Participleperseguido

📝 In Action

Ella lleva años persiguiendo su sueño de convertirse en escritora.

B1

She has been pursuing her dream of becoming a writer for years.

¿Qué estás persiguiendo en tu vida profesional ahora mismo?

B2

What are you pursuing in your professional life right now?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • buscando (seeking)
  • luchando por (fighting for)

Antonyms

  • abandonando (giving up)

Common Collocations

  • persiguiendo un idealpursuing an ideal

persecuting, hounding

Also: harassing
Verb (Gerund)B2irregular (E>I stem change) irformal
An illustration showing a single, dejected figure isolated in the middle of an empty playground while three other figures stand nearby, looking judgmental, symbolizing persecution or unfair treatment.
infinitiveperseguir
gerundpersiguiendo
past Participleperseguido

📝 In Action

Los periodistas estaban persiguiendo al político con preguntas difíciles.

B2

The journalists were hounding the politician with difficult questions.

El grupo sentía que el régimen los estaba persiguiendo por sus creencias.

C1

The group felt the regime was persecuting them for their beliefs.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • acosando (harassing)
  • hostigando (pestering)

Antonyms

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: persiguiendo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'persiguiendo' in the sense of 'working toward a goal'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
perseguir(to chase, to pursue)Verb
la persecución(the persecution, the chase)Noun
perseguidor(chaser, pursuer)Noun / Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin verb *persequi*, formed by combining the prefix *per-* (through, thoroughly) and *sequi* (to follow). The meaning has always been tied to following persistently or thoroughly.

First recorded: 13th century (in Old Spanish as 'perseguir')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: perseguindoItalian: perseguendo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'persiguiendo' spelled with an 'i' instead of an 'e' if the infinitive is 'perseguir'?

The verb 'perseguir' is slightly irregular. It belongs to a group of verbs where the vowel 'e' in the stem changes to an 'i' in certain forms, including the gerund. This pattern is common in Spanish verbs like 'pedir' (to ask) which becomes 'pidiendo'.

Can I use 'persiguiendo' by itself, like 'Chasing hard!'?

Generally, no. In Spanish, the gerund usually needs a helper verb, most commonly 'estar' (to be) to form a continuous action (Está persiguiendo). You can also use it with verbs like 'seguir' (Sigue persiguiendo) or 'andar' (Anda persiguiendo).