How to Say "coming" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “coming” is “llegando” — use this when describing the ongoing action of arriving somewhere, emphasizing the process of movement towards a destination..
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.
próximo
Examples
¿Has visto el correo del próximo martes?
Have you seen the mail for next Tuesday?
viniendo
vee-nee-EN-doh/biˈnjendo/
Examples
Mi amigo está viniendo a mi casa.
My friend is coming to my house.
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).
llegada
/ye-GAH-dah//ʎeˈɣaða/
Examples
La llegada del paquete se espera mañana.
The arrival of the package is expected tomorrow.
Esperamos la llegada de mi tía en el aeropuerto.
We are waiting for my aunt's arrival at the airport.
La llegada del invierno siempre me pone triste.
The coming (arrival) of winter always makes me sad.
Debemos confirmar la hora de llegada del vuelo.
We must confirm the flight's arrival time.
Feminine Noun Rule
Since 'llegada' ends in '-a', it is a feminine noun and always uses 'la' or 'una' before it.
Mixing up the verb and noun
Mistake: “Usar 'llegar' (the verb) instead of 'llegada' (the noun).”
Correction: Remember: 'llegada' is the event or time; 'llegar' is the action. (e.g., 'La llegada fue tarde' vs. 'Él va a llegar tarde').
futura
/foo-TOO-rah//fuˈtuɾa/
Examples
Él está emocionado por su futura graduación.
He is excited about his future graduation.
Ella es mi futura esposa.
She is my future wife.
Estamos pensando en nuestra futura casa.
We are thinking about our future house.
Las futuras generaciones nos darán la razón.
Future generations will prove us right.
The 'Feminine' Rule
Use 'futura' only when describing feminine nouns (words ending in -a like 'casa' or 'vida'). If the noun is masculine, you must use 'futuro'.
Mismatched Gender
Mistake: “Mi futura hijo.”
Correction: Mi futuro hijo.
Gerund vs. Noun for Arrivals
Related Translations
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