Inklingo

How to Say "concealing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

escondiendo

ehs-kohn-DYEN-doh/es.konˈdjen.do/

Verb Form (Gerund)A1General
Use 'escondiendo' when referring to the physical act of hiding oneself or an object from view, often in a playful or evasive manner.
A young child is partially concealed behind a thick tree trunk, with only their eyes and part of their face visible as they peek out.

Examples

Mi perro se está escondiendo debajo de la cama.

My dog is hiding under the bed.

Estábamos escondiendo los regalos para que no los vieran.

We were hiding the gifts so they wouldn't see them.

Ella sigue escondiendo la verdad sobre lo que pasó anoche.

She keeps concealing the truth about what happened last night.

How to show an ongoing action

This word is the '-ing' form of the verb 'esconder' (to hide). You must use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to form a progressive tense, like 'estoy escondiendo' (I am hiding).

The -iendo ending rule

All regular Spanish verbs that end in -ER or -IR (like 'esconder') use the '-iendo' ending for this form. Verbs ending in -AR use '-ando'.

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy escondiendo.”

Correction: Estoy escondiendo. Remember, the ongoing action form (the gerund) always pairs with 'estar' because the action is temporary or happening right now.

ocultando

oh-kool-TAHN-doh/o.kulˈtan.do/

GerundA2General
Use 'ocultando' when the focus is on keeping information, feelings, or an object secret or deliberately out of sight, implying intent to deceive or protect.
A small brown teddy bear toy is being completely concealed behind a fold of a large, bright red cloth or curtain.

Examples

El niño está ocultando los dulces debajo de la almohada.

The child is hiding the candy underneath the pillow.

Ella estuvo ocultando la verdad durante meses.

She was concealing the truth for months.

La niebla estaba ocultando la cima de la montaña.

The fog was masking (hiding) the peak of the mountain.

The '-ando' Ending

Words ending in '-ando' are the Spanish equivalent of English words ending in '-ing' (like 'running' or 'hiding'). They describe an action happening right now.

Forming Continuous Tenses

You almost always pair 'ocultando' with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show continuous action: 'estoy ocultando' (I am hiding).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy ocultando.”

Correction: Estoy ocultando. Remember, when describing an action in progress, you must use 'estar', not 'ser'.

Escondiendo vs. Ocultando: Physical vs. Intentional Concealment

Learners often confuse 'escondiendo' and 'ocultando' because both mean 'hiding.' Remember that 'escondiendo' usually involves a physical act of concealment from sight, while 'ocultando' more strongly implies keeping something secret or concealed with intent.

Related Translations

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