Inklingo

How to Say "clearing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

claro

/KLAH-roh//ˈkla.ɾo/

NounB2General
Use 'claro' when referring to an open, uncultivated space within a forest or wooded area.
A sunny clearing in a forest, representing 'un claro' as a noun.

Examples

Vimos un ciervo en un claro del bosque.

We saw a deer in a clearing in the forest.

A través de un claro en las nubes, vimos la luna.

Through a gap in the clouds, we saw the moon.

limpiando

lim-pee-AN-doh/limˈpjan.do/

Verb Form (Gerund)A1General
Use 'limpiando' when describing the ongoing action of cleaning or removing dirt, clutter, or obstacles from a place.
A small, cheerful figure is actively scrubbing a visibly dirty surface, such as a kitchen counter, with a sponge. One side of the counter is covered in grime, while the side the figure has cleaned is sparkling and spotless.

Examples

Mi hermano está limpiando la cocina en este momento.

My brother is cleaning the kitchen right now.

Pasé toda la tarde limpiando el garaje, ¡estaba terrible!

I spent the whole afternoon cleaning the garage, it was terrible!

El equipo está limpiando los datos antes de analizarlos.

The team is cleaning the data before analyzing it.

The '-ing' Form

This word, ending in '-ando', is the Spanish way of saying the '-ing' action in English (like 'cleaning'). It describes an action that is ongoing.

Using it Right Now

To talk about what is happening right this second, you must use a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by 'limpiando': 'Estoy limpiando' (I am cleaning).

It Never Changes

'Limpiando' is an invariable form, meaning it always stays the same regardless of who is doing the cleaning or how many people there are.

Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy limpiando.”

Correction: Estoy limpiando. You must use 'estar' when talking about ongoing actions, never 'ser'.

Using the Infinitive

Mistake: “Ella está limpiar la casa.”

Correction: Ella está limpiando la casa. Remember to use the '-ando' form after 'estar' to show the action is in progress.

recogiendo

/re-ko-HYEN-do//rekoˈxjendo/

VerbB1General
Use 'recogiendo' when referring to the act of removing items from a surface, such as clearing a table after a meal.
A hand placing a toy wooden block into a wooden storage box.

Examples

Termina de comer y ayuda recogiendo la mesa.

Finish eating and help by clearing the table.

Estamos recogiendo la casa porque viene visita.

We are tidying up the house because guests are coming.

Clearing a Space vs. Clearing a Table

Learners often confuse 'claro' (an open space) with 'recogiendo' (clearing a table). Remember that 'claro' is a noun for a place, while 'recogiendo' is a verb for the action of removing items from a surface.

Related Translations

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