Inklingo

How to Say "following" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “following” is “siguiente” — use 'siguiente' when referring to something that comes immediately after in a sequence, order, or location..

siguiente🔊A1

Use 'siguiente' when referring to something that comes immediately after in a sequence, order, or location.

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próximoA1

Use 'próximo' when referring to something that is near in time or space, or the next in a series of steps or events.

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siguiendo🔊A1

Use 'siguiendo' as part of a continuous action in the present or past, translating to 'following' in the sense of tracking or pursuing.

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continuaciónB1

Use 'continuación' in the fixed phrase 'a continuación' to mean 'next' or 'following' when introducing the next item in a sequence, like a speech or segment.

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tribu🔊B2

Use 'tribu' informally to refer to a group or 'crew' of people, similar to 'tribe' or 'gang'. This is not a direct translation of 'following' in most contexts.

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English → Spanish

siguiente

/see-GYEN-tay//siˈɣjen.te/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'siguiente' when referring to something that comes immediately after in a sequence, order, or location.
A small, friendly character standing on the second block of a sequence of four blocks, looking ahead to the third block, illustrating the concept of 'next' in a sequence.

Examples

La siguiente parada es el museo.

The next stop is the museum.

Nos vemos la semana siguiente.

See you next week.

Abra el libro en la página siguiente.

Open the book to the next page.

Where to Place 'Siguiente'

Unlike in English, siguiente almost always comes after the thing it describes. Think 'the page next' (la página siguiente) instead of 'the next page'.

One Form Fits All

siguiente is an easy adjective because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine. It's always siguiente. For example: el tren siguiente (the next train) and la estación siguiente (the next station).

Using 'Siguiente' vs. 'Próximo'

Mistake: “Voy a España la siguiente semana.”

Correction: Voy a España la próxima semana. Use `siguiente` for something immediately following in a sequence you're talking about now (e.g., 'the next stop'). Use `próximo` for something coming up in the future (e.g., 'next week', 'next year').

próximo

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'próximo' when referring to something that is near in time or space, or the next in a series of steps or events.

Examples

¿Qué hacemos el próximo fin de semana?

What are we doing next weekend?

siguiendo

see-gee-EN-doh/siˈɣjendo/

Verb (Gerund)A1General
Use 'siguiendo' as part of a continuous action in the present or past, translating to 'following' in the sense of tracking or pursuing.
A small yellow duckling walking directly behind a large brown mother duck, illustrating the continuous action of following.

Examples

Estamos siguiendo las noticias muy de cerca.

We are following the news very closely.

Ella está siguiendo una dieta estricta para el verano.

She is following a strict diet for the summer.

El perro te estuvo siguiendo por todo el parque.

The dog was following you throughout the entire park.

The 'Is Doing' Form

You use 'siguiendo' with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is happening right at this moment or is ongoing: 'estoy siguiendo' (I am following).

Stem Change Reminder

The base verb 'seguir' (to follow) changes its 'e' to an 'i' when forming the gerund, which is why it becomes 'siguiendo' (e.g., 'pedir' becomes 'pidiendo').

Incorrect Gerund Form

Mistake: “Estamos *seguendo* el mapa.”

Correction: Estamos *siguiendo* el mapa. Remember the e-to-i spelling change for 'seguir' in this form.

continuación

NounB1Formal/General
Use 'continuación' in the fixed phrase 'a continuación' to mean 'next' or 'following' when introducing the next item in a sequence, like a speech or segment.

Examples

A continuación, el presidente dará su discurso.

Next, the president will give his speech.

tribu

TREE-boo/ˈtɾiβu/

NounB2Informal
Use 'tribu' informally to refer to a group or 'crew' of people, similar to 'tribe' or 'gang'. This is not a direct translation of 'following' in most contexts.
A dense mass of many indistinct people packed tightly together, forming a large, colorful crowd filling a public space.

Examples

Me voy de vacaciones con mi tribu de amigos de la universidad.

I'm going on vacation with my crew of friends from the university.

Cada uno tiene su propia tribu urbana: los góticos, los hipsters...

Everyone has their own urban tribe (subculture): the Goths, the hipsters...

Metaphorical Use

In modern Spanish, 'tribu' often implies a sense of deep loyalty and shared identity, much like the English phrase 'my people' or 'my crew'.

Adjective vs. Noun for Sequence

Learners often confuse 'siguiente'/'próximo' (adjectives meaning 'next') with 'continuación' (noun used in 'a continuación' meaning 'next'). Remember that 'siguiente' and 'próximo' describe the item that follows, while 'a continuación' introduces the next item itself.

Related Translations

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