Inklingo

How to Say "ruining" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arruinando

/ah-rroo-ee-NAHN-doh//aruˈnjando/

verbA2general
Use 'arruinando' when talking about spoiling a situation, like an event or a plan, or damaging a physical object.
A colorful storybook illustration of a melting ice cream cone lying on a sidewalk.

Examples

La lluvia está arruinando nuestro picnic.

The rain is ruining our picnic.

No me digas el final, estás arruinando la película.

Don't tell me the ending, you're ruining the movie.

Ese ruido está arruinando mi concentración.

That noise is ruining my concentration.

The '-ing' Ending

In Spanish, words ending in '-ando' work just like English words ending in '-ing' to show an action is happening right now.

Pairing with 'Estar'

You almost always use 'estar' (to be) before 'arruinando' to describe what someone is currently doing: 'Estoy arruinando esto' means 'I am ruining this'.

Gender and Number

Mistake:Ellas están arruinandas.

Correction: Ellas están arruinando.

destruyendo

/des-troo-YEN-doh//destɾuˈʝendo/

verbA2general
Use 'destruyendo' when referring to the complete demolition or annihilation of something, especially abstract things like plans, reputations, or relationships, or large-scale physical destruction.
A child's tall tower made of colorful toy blocks being knocked over and falling apart.

Examples

El fuego está destruyendo el bosque.

The fire is destroying the forest.

Están destruyendo el viejo edificio para construir uno nuevo.

They are destroying the old building to build a new one.

Tus mentiras están destruyendo nuestra confianza.

Your lies are destroying our trust.

The 'Y' Spelling Rule

For verbs ending in -uir, the 'i' in the '-iendo' ending changes to a 'y' because Spanish doesn't like having three vowels in a row (u-i-e).

Using it for Ongoing Actions

Combine this word with 'estar' (to be) to describe something happening right now, like 'está destruyendo' (it is destroying).

Don't use an 'i'

Mistake:destruiendo

Correction: destruyendo

Arruinando vs. Destruyendo

Learners often confuse 'arruinando' and 'destruyendo' because both can mean 'ruining.' Remember that 'arruinando' is more about spoiling or damaging, while 'destruyendo' implies a more complete destruction or annihilation.

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