Inklingo

How to Say "singing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cantando

/kahn-TAHN-doh//kanˈtando/

VerbA1general
Use 'cantando' when describing someone or something that is currently in the act of singing, often with the verb 'estar' (to be).
A happy child stands on a simple stage, singing enthusiastically into a standing microphone. Bright, colorful musical notes float in the air around the child's head, illustrating the sound.

Examples

Mi hermano está cantando una canción muy famosa en la radio.

My brother is singing a very famous song on the radio.

Ella trabaja en la cocina cantando para pasar el tiempo.

She works in the kitchen singing to pass the time.

Llevamos tres horas cantando en el karaoke, me duele la garganta.

We have been singing for three hours at karaoke; my throat hurts.

Forming Continuous Actions

You use 'cantando' (the gerund) with a form of the verb 'estar' (like 'estoy,' 'estás,' 'está') to show an action happening at the moment of speaking: 'Estamos cantando' (We are singing).

Describing the Manner of Action

You can also use 'cantando' by itself to explain how someone did something: 'Caminó cantando' (He walked, singing/while singing).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy cantando”

Correction: Estoy cantando. Remember, 'estar' is always used with 'cantando' to describe temporary, ongoing actions.

Confusing Gerund and Infinitive

Mistake: “Quiero ir a cantar ahora.”

Correction: Quiero ir a cantar ahora. (This is correct, but the mistake is using 'cantando' when you mean 'to sing'). Remember, 'cantando' is only used for continuous action or describing manner.

canto

/KAN-toh//ˈkanto/

NounA1general
Use 'canto' when referring to the noun form, meaning the sound or melody produced by singing, especially by birds or in a more poetic context.
A single, large, stylized musical eighth note floating, with colorful, wavy lines radiating outward, representing sound.

Examples

El canto del pájaro es muy bonito.

The bird's song is very beautiful.

Estudió la técnica del canto lírico durante años.

She studied the technique of opera singing for years.

Gender Rule

Even though this word ends in '-o', remember that the related word for 'song' (canción) is feminine, but 'canto' (the act of singing or a specific chant) is masculine.

Verb vs. Noun Confusion

The most common mistake is using the noun 'canto' when you mean the ongoing action of singing. Remember, 'cantando' (with the -ando ending) is the present participle for actions in progress, while 'canto' is the noun for the sound or act of singing.

Related Translations

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