Inklingo

How to Say "picking up" in Spanish

English → Spanish

recogiendo

/re-ko-HYEN-do//rekoˈxjendo/

verbA2
Use this when referring to the action of lifting or collecting physical objects from a surface or location.
A child bending over to pick up a colorful toy ball from a green lawn.

Examples

Llevo toda la mañana recogiendo mis juguetes.

I've been picking up my toys all morning.

Están recogiendo manzanas en el huerto.

They are gathering apples in the orchard.

The -ing Form

This word is the 'doing' form (gerund) of the verb 'recoger'. In Spanish, you use '-iendo' for '-er' verbs to show an action is happening right now.

Spelling Rule

Even though the base verb 'recoger' sometimes changes its 'g' to a 'j' (like in 'recojo'), it keeps the 'g' in 'recogiendo' because it is followed by an 'i'.

Spelling with J

Mistake: “recojiendo”

Correction: recogiendo (use 'g' because the next letter is 'i')

buscando

/boos-KAHN-doh//busˈkando/

verb form (gerund)A1
Use this when 'picking up' means to collect or fetch a person or item, often by going to get them.
A small, colorful storybook illustration of a focused person kneeling down, lifting up a sofa cushion and peering underneath, illustrating the action of searching for something lost.

Examples

Voy a la estación a buscar a mi amigo.

I'm going to the station to pick up my friend.

Estoy buscando mis llaves.

I am looking for my keys.

¿Qué estás buscando?

What are you looking for?

Pasé la tarde buscando información en la biblioteca.

I spent the afternoon searching for information in the library.

The Spanish '-ing' Form

buscando is the Spanish equivalent of adding '-ing' to 'look for'. It's a special form called a gerund (gerundio) that describes an action in progress. You'll almost always see it paired with a form of the verb estar (to be).

It Never Changes

One great thing about buscando is that it always stays the same, no matter who is doing the action. It's buscando for 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', or 'they'. The verb estar is the one that changes: Estoy buscando, Estás buscando, Están buscando.

Adding an Unnecessary 'for'

Mistake: “Estoy buscando por mis llaves.”

Correction: Just say `Estoy buscando mis llaves.` In Spanish, the verb `buscar` already includes the idea of 'for,' so you don't need to add another word like `por`.

aprendiendo

/ah-pren-DYEN-doh//a.pɾenˈdjen.do/

gerundA1
Use this when 'picking up' refers to acquiring knowledge or a new skill, like learning a language or a craft.
A friendly, young bear cub is sitting on a grassy hill, deeply focused on reading a large, open red book. The scene is bright and colorful.

Examples

Mi hijo está aprendiendo a leer en la escuela.

My son is learning to read at school.

Hemos estado aprendiendo mucho sobre la historia del arte.

We have been learning a lot about art history.

Ella sigue aprendiendo el idioma, aunque ya habla bien.

She keeps learning the language, even though she already speaks well.

The '-ing' Form

This word is the Spanish equivalent of English verbs ending in '-ing' (learning, running, talking). It describes an action currently in progress.

Using the Gerund

You must use 'aprendiendo' with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show continuous action: 'Estoy aprendiendo' (I am learning).

Always Ends in -iendo

Since the base verb 'aprender' ends in '-er', its gerund (the -ing form) always ends in '-iendo', unlike '-ar' verbs which use '-ando'.

Mixing Gerunds and Infinitives

Mistake: “Using 'Estoy aprender' instead of 'Estoy aprendiendo'.”

Correction: The verb 'estar' must always be followed by the '-ing' form ('aprendiendo') to describe what you are doing right now.

ganando

/gah-NAHN-doh//ɡaˈnando/

verbB1informal
Use this specifically when 'picking up' means to increase in speed, altitude, or momentum, often in a dynamic situation.
A simplified illustration showing one runner accelerating and pulling far ahead of a competitor on a track, clearly gaining ground.

Examples

El avión está ganando altitud rápidamente después del despegue.

The plane is gaining altitude quickly after takeoff.

Ella está ganando confianza en sí misma con cada presentación.

She is gaining self-confidence with every presentation.

Describing Gradual Change

When used for gaining things like weight, speed, or reputation, 'ganando' emphasizes the continuous, gradual process of that change over time.

Confusing 'Collecting' vs. 'Learning'

The most common confusion is between 'recogiendo' (collecting objects) and 'aprendiendo' (learning a skill). Remember that if you are physically gathering items, use 'recogiendo'. If you are acquiring knowledge or a new ability, use 'aprendiendo'.

Related Translations

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