How to Say "arriving" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “arriving” is “llegando” — use 'llegando' when the focus is on the completion of a journey or reaching a destination, whether it's a physical place or a point in time..
llegando
/yey-GAHN-doh//ʝeˈɣando/
Examples
El tren está llegando a la estación.
The train is arriving at the station.
Estamos llegando tarde al aeropuerto.
We are arriving late to the airport.
Ella sigue llegando tarde a todas las citas.
She keeps arriving late to all the appointments.
La tormenta está llegando a la costa ahora mismo.
The storm is reaching the coast right now.
Forming Continuous Tenses
"Llegando" is the form you use with the verb "estar" (like estoy, estás, estamos) to show that the action of arriving is happening right now or is ongoing: "Estamos llegando a casa" (We are arriving home).
The '-ando' Ending
All Spanish verbs that end in '-ar' (like llegar) change to '-ando' when you want to show that the action is currently in progress.
Using the Simple Verb Instead of the Gerund
Mistake: “Yo llego.”
Correction: Yo estoy llegando. The mistake is using the simple present, which means 'I arrive (habitually or soon),' when you mean 'I am in the process of arriving.' You need 'estar' plus 'llegando' to show the continuous action.
viniendo
vee-nee-EN-doh/biˈnjendo/
Examples
Mis amigos están viniendo de visita este fin de semana.
My friends are coming to visit this weekend.
Mi hermana está viniendo a la fiesta ahora mismo.
My sister is coming to the party right now.
Llegó a la oficina viniendo desde su casa en bicicleta.
He arrived at the office, coming from his house by bike.
Hemos estado viniendo a este restaurante por años.
We have been coming to this restaurant for years.
Forming Continuous Actions
The word 'viniendo' is the '-ing' form (the gerund). You use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe an action happening right now: 'Estamos viniendo' (We are coming).
Movement Towards the Speaker
'Viniendo' (from 'venir') always implies movement toward the location of the speaker or the point of reference, unlike 'yendo' (going), which implies movement away.
Confusing 'Viniendo' and 'Yendo'
Mistake: “Using 'Estoy yendo' when you mean 'I am coming to you.'”
Correction: Use 'Estoy viniendo' if the listener is the destination. If the listener is NOT the destination, use 'Estoy yendo': 'Voy yendo a la tienda' (I'm going to the store).
Llegando vs. Viniendo
Related Translations
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