queriendo
keh-RYEN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estuve queriendo llamarte todo el día.
A2I was wanting (or trying) to call you all day.
Ella se fue de la fiesta, queriendo evitar a su exnovio.
B1She left the party, wanting to avoid her ex-boyfriend.
Los niños están queriendo un helado después de la cena.
A1The children are wanting an ice cream after dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
The '-ing' Form
The word 'queriendo' is the gerund, which is like the '-ing' form in English (wanting, loving). It always ends in '-ndo' in Spanish.
Continuous Actions
You use 'queriendo' with the verb 'estar' (like 'estoy queriendo') to talk about an action that is happening right now, or was happening at a specific time.
Expressing Intent
You can use 'queriendo' on its own to explain why someone did something: 'Salió corriendo, queriendo alcanzar el autobús' (He left running, wanting to catch the bus).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overuse in Simple Requests
Mistake: "Estoy queriendo un café."
Correction: Quiero un café. (Use the simple present tense for immediate wants, not the continuous form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Action
While 'queriendo' is grammatically correct, Spanish speakers usually prefer the simple present ('quiero') for wants. Use 'queriendo' when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort or attempt ('I was trying to call you').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: queriendo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'queriendo' to describe a simultaneous action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use 'queriendo' instead of the simple present 'quiero'?
Use 'queriendo' (usually with 'estar') when you want to emphasize that the desire or attempt is ongoing over a period of time, or when you are describing a motive for another action. For simple, immediate wants ('I want coffee'), stick to 'quiero'.