Inklingo

How to Say "daydreaming" in Spanish

English → Spanish

nubes

/NOO-bes//ˈnuβes/

nounB2
Use this when someone is mentally absent or not paying attention because they are lost in thought, often to the point of appearing disconnected from reality.
A person sitting peacefully, looking off into the distance with a thoughtful expression. Small, stylized white clouds gently float around their head, symbolizing being lost in thought.

Examples

Deja de estar en las nubes y concéntrate en la tarea.

Stop daydreaming and concentrate on the task.

María siempre está en las nubes y no presta atención a la clase.

Maria is always daydreaming (in the clouds) and doesn't pay attention in class.

Se avecinan nubes en la economía mundial, debemos prepararnos.

Trouble (clouds) is approaching in the global economy; we must prepare ourselves.

Using 'Estar'

When using the common idiom 'estar en las nubes,' you must use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a temporary state of mind.

soñando

soh-NYAHN-doh/soˈɲan.do/

verb formB1
Choose this when the daydreaming involves actively imagining or fantasizing about a desired future outcome or ideal situation.
A happy young person standing outdoors, looking up towards a bright, distant star, symbolizing a future goal or aspiration.

Examples

Pasó la tarde soñando despierto con su viaje a Japón.

He spent the afternoon daydreaming about his trip to Japan.

Llevamos años soñando con comprar una casa más grande.

We have been dreaming of buying a bigger house for years.

Están soñando con el día en que se jubilen.

They are dreaming of the day they retire.

Dreaming OF Something

When talking about wishing or hoping for something, Spanish requires the preposition 'con' (with) right after the verb: 'soñando con un coche nuevo' (dreaming of a new car).

Using 'de' instead of 'con'

Mistake: “Estoy soñando de un viaje.”

Correction: Estoy soñando con un viaje. (Always use 'con' when 'soñando' means wishing or aspiring.)

cazando

/ka-SAHN-doh//kaˈsando/

verbA2informal
This is used specifically in the idiom 'cazando moscas' to describe a state of idleness or mental vacancy, often implying a lack of focus or purpose.
A fox stealthily moving through tall grass, tracking something in the distance.

Examples

El profesor nos vio a todos cazando moscas en clase.

The teacher saw all of us daydreaming (literally: hunting flies) in class.

El águila está cazando un ratón.

The eagle is hunting a mouse.

Llevo toda la mañana cazando ofertas en internet.

I've been hunting for deals on the internet all morning.

¡Presta atención! Estás cazando moscas.

Pay attention! You're daydreaming.

The '-ing' Form

Cazando is a gerund, which is the Spanish equivalent of English words ending in '-ing.' You use it with the verb 'estar' to describe actions happening right now.

Don't use it as a title

Mistake: “Using 'Cazando es difícil' for 'Hunting is difficult.'”

Correction: Say 'Cazar es difícil.' In Spanish, we use the base form (infinitive) when the action is the subject of the sentence.

Nubes vs. Soñando

Learners often confuse 'estar en las nubes' with 'soñando'. Remember that 'estar en las nubes' describes a passive state of inattention, while 'soñando' implies a more active, hopeful imagination about the future.

Related Translations

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