viviendo
/vee-vee-EN-doh/
living
When "viviendo" means "living" in the sense of residing, it describes the action of being in a home.
viviendo(Verb Form)
living
?The action of being alive or residing
dwelling
?Focus on the place of residence
📝 In Action
Mi hermana está viviendo en Madrid temporalmente.
A1My sister is living in Madrid temporarily.
¿Qué estás haciendo? Estoy viviendo mi mejor vida.
A2What are you doing? I'm living my best life.
Ellos están viviendo juntos desde el verano pasado.
A2They have been living together since last summer.
💡 Grammar Points
The Present Continuous
This form ('viviendo') is most often used with the verb 'estar' to describe an action happening right now or an ongoing situation: 'Estoy viviendo' (I am living).
Always Invariable
Unlike adjectives, the gerund form 'viviendo' never changes its ending. It is always 'viviendo', regardless of who is doing the action (I, she, they, etc.).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy viviendo en Barcelona."
Correction: Estoy viviendo en Barcelona. (Always use 'estar' when talking about ongoing actions.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Action vs. State
Use 'viviendo' for temporary residence or an active life process. For permanent residence, Spanish often prefers the simple present: 'Vivo en Chile' (I live in Chile).
"Viviendo" can also translate to "experiencing," referring to the action of undergoing a situation or strong emotion.
viviendo(Verb Form)
experiencing
?Undergoing a situation, emotion, or historical event
going through
?Dealing with a difficult situation
📝 In Action
Estamos viviendo momentos de mucha tensión política.
B1We are experiencing moments of great political tension.
Ella sigue viviendo el recuerdo de aquel viaje.
B2She continues to live (or cherish) the memory of that trip.
Si estás viviendo un período de estrés, busca ayuda.
B2If you are going through a period of stress, seek help.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'viviendo' emphasizes the duration and emotional depth of the experience, suggesting the situation is currently unfolding or consuming attention.
⭐ Usage Tips
Intensifying Experiences
This form adds drama. Saying 'Estamos viviendo una época difícil' is stronger than 'Es una época difícil,' highlighting that you are actively processing the difficulty.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: viviendo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'viviendo' to describe an ongoing state or action?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'viviendo' the same as 'vive'?
No. 'Vive' means 'he/she/it lives' (simple present tense). 'Viviendo' is the '—ing' form ('living') and is used with 'estar' to say what someone is currently doing: 'Él vive aquí' (He lives here) vs. 'Él está viviendo aquí' (He is living here temporarily).
How do I form the gerund for other -ir verbs?
For most -ir verbs, you take off the -ir ending and add -iendo (e.g., 'escribir' becomes 'escribiendo'). Only a few irregular verbs (like 'dormir' or 'pedir') have a stem change before adding -iendo.