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How to Say "gliding" in Spanish

English → Spanish

volando

voh-LAHN-doh/boˈlan.do/

Verb Form (Gerund)A1General
Use this word for any smooth, forward movement through the air, especially when referring to aircraft or birds in general flight.
A bright blue stylized bird soaring high in a sunny blue sky with its wings fully extended.

Examples

El avión está volando sobre las montañas.

The plane is flying over the mountains.

Estuvimos volando por diez horas hasta llegar a Madrid.

We were flying for ten hours until we arrived in Madrid.

The Gerund Form

'Volando' is the '-ando' form, which is Spanish's equivalent to the English '-ing' form. It describes an action that is currently happening.

Progressive Tenses

You combine 'volando' with a form of 'estar' (to be) to make progressive tenses, like 'está volando' (is flying) or 'estaba volando' (was flying).

planeando

plah-neh-AHN-doh/pla.neˈan.do/

VerbB1General
Use this word specifically when describing movement through the air with no engine power, like an eagle soaring or a glider aircraft.
A large, majestic brown eagle with stationary, wide wings soaring effortlessly across a bright blue sky above rolling green hills, demonstrating gliding.

Examples

El águila estaba planeando sobre las montañas.

The eagle was gliding/soaring over the mountains.

Vimos un avión planeando antes de aterrizar.

We saw a plane gliding before landing.

Context is Key

When you see 'planeando' used with birds, wind, or aircraft, it refers to movement, not organization. The Spanish word covers both 'planning' and 'gliding'.

General Flight vs. Powerless Movement

Learners often confuse 'volando' and 'planeando' because both describe air travel. Remember that 'volando' is the general term for flying (like a plane), while 'planeando' specifically means gliding or soaring without an engine.

Related Translations

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