robando
roh-BAHN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
El hombre fue detenido mientras estaba robando en la tienda.
A2The man was arrested while he was stealing in the store.
¿Qué estás robando de la cocina? ¡Es mi galleta!
A1What are you stealing from the kitchen? It's my cookie!
Siento que el trabajo está robando todo mi tiempo libre.
B1I feel like work is stealing all my free time.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming the Continuous Action
You use 'robando' (the gerund) with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that the action is happening right now or was happening continuously in the past: 'Estamos robando' (We are stealing).
Always Ends in -ando
Since the base verb 'robar' ends in -ar, its gerund form always ends in -ando. Verbs ending in -er or -ir use -iendo instead.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Infinitive for Continuous Action
Mistake: "Estamos robar."
Correction: Estamos robando. Remember that the -ando form is necessary to show the action is ongoing.
Confusing Gerund and Participle
Mistake: "El ladrón estaba robado."
Correction: El ladrón estaba robando. 'Robado' means 'stolen' (describes the item or the state), while 'robando' describes the action the thief is doing.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
You can use 'robando' metaphorically, especially with concepts like time ('robando minutos') or attention ('robando miradas'), meaning taking them away.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: robando
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'robando' to describe an ongoing action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'robando' the same as 'robar'?
No, 'robar' is the base verb (to steal). 'Robando' is a special form, called the gerund, which means 'stealing' and is used to show that the action is currently in progress, usually with the verb 'estar'.
Can I use 'robando' by itself without 'estar'?
Yes, but it often acts like an adverb, describing how an action happens, similar to saying 'He ran, stealing the ball.' (Corrió robando la pelota).