Inklingo

How to Say "by speaking" in Spanish

The Spanish word forby speakingis hablandoA1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishA1
Verb Form (the '-ing' version)A1
describing the method used to do something
Two stylized characters actively engaged in conversation, illustrating the ongoing action of talking.

Examples

Mi hermana está hablando por teléfono.

My sister is talking on the phone.

Pasamos la noche hablando de nuestros planes.

We spent the night talking about our plans.

Puedes resolver muchos problemas simplemente hablando.

You can solve many problems simply by talking.

Making the '-ing' Form in Spanish

To say an action is happening right now, you almost always use a form of estar (to be) with a verb ending in -ando or -iendo. Hablando is the '-ing' form of hablar (to talk).

More Than Just 'Right Now'

Hablando can also mean 'by speaking' or 'while speaking'. For example, 'Aprendes mucho hablando con la gente' means 'You learn a lot by speaking with people'.

Using '-ando' for Everything

Mistake:Quiero hablando español.

Correction: After verbs like 'quiero' (I want) or 'necesito' (I need), use the full verb form: 'Quiero hablar español'. Save `hablando` for actions currently in progress.

Forgetting 'Estar'

Mistake:Yo hablando con mi amigo.

Correction: In Spanish, you need the helper verb 'estar' to say an action is in progress. Always say 'Yo estoy hablando con mi amigo' (I am talking with my friend).

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.