respirando
reh-spee-RAHN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
El corredor está respirando profundamente después de la carrera.
A1The runner is breathing deeply after the race.
Llegó a la cima de la montaña, respirando con dificultad.
B1He arrived at the top of the mountain, breathing with difficulty.
Ella pasó la tarde respirando el aire fresco del mar.
A2She spent the afternoon breathing the fresh sea air.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Continuous Actions
The '-ando' ending (the gerund) is used to show an action happening right now. You must combine it with the verb 'estar' (to be): 'El perro está respirando' (The dog is breathing).
Describing How an Action Happens
You can use 'respirando' to describe how someone does something else, acting like an adverb: 'Habla respirando hondo' (He speaks breathing deeply).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "El paciente es respirando."
Correction: El paciente está respirando. Remember, use 'estar' for temporary actions that are in progress.
Forgetting the 'ar' rule
Mistake: "Estamos respiriendo."
Correction: Estamos respirando. Verbs that end in '-ar' always take the '-ando' ending for the continuous form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Process
Use 'respirando' when you want to emphasize the ongoing process of breathing, not a single intake of air (which might use a different verb like 'tomar aire').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: respirando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'respirando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'respirando' and 'respirar'?
'Respirar' is the base verb (to breathe). 'Respirando' is the action form (breathing). You use 'respirando' when the action is happening right now or was happening continuously in the past, often paired with 'estar'.
Can 'respirando' ever be used as an adjective?
No. Unlike some English '-ing' words (like 'interesting'), 'respirando' is strictly used to describe an action in progress, either with 'estar' or as an adverb describing another verb.