How to Say "taking" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “taking” is “tomando” — use 'tomando' when referring to physically grabbing or acquiring something, consuming medicine or drinks, or using public transportation like trains or buses..
tomando
toh-MAHN-doh/toˈmando/
Examples
Estamos tomando el tren ahora mismo. Llegaremos pronto.
We are taking the train right now. We will arrive soon.
Mi bebé está tomando mi dedo con mucha fuerza.
My baby is taking/grabbing my finger very tightly.
El presidente está tomando una decisión importante sobre la economía.
The president is making an important decision about the economy.
Ella está tomando notas en la reunión.
She is taking notes in the meeting.
The Continuous Action Form
The word 'tomando' is the '-ing' form (the gerund) of 'tomar'. It always combines with a form of 'estar' (to be) to show something happening right now: 'Estoy tomando' (I am taking).
The Meaning of Tomar
Tomar is one of the most versatile verbs in Spanish. It can mean to take, grab, drink, ride, or even assume a posture or role. Always check the context!
Drinking vs. Taking
While 'beber' means strictly 'to drink,' 'tomar' is far more common in Spanish for having a drink or a beverage.
Using 'Tomando' Alone
Mistake: “Tomando mi café.”
Correction: Estoy tomando mi café. (You must use 'estar' to form the continuous tense.)
Using 'Llevar' for Transport
Mistake: “Estoy llevando el bus.”
Correction: Estoy tomando el bus. (In Spanish, 'llevar' means 'to carry' or 'to transport someone else,' not 'to ride' a vehicle.)
llevando
yeh-VAHN-doh/ʝeˈβando/
Examples
Mi padre me está llevando al aeropuerto.
My father is taking me to the airport.
Ella está llevando una caja pesada.
She is carrying a heavy box.
¿Por qué estás llevando un abrigo si hace calor?
Why are you wearing a coat if it's hot?
El GPS nos está llevando por una ruta más larga.
The GPS is leading us on a longer route.
The Continuous Action
The form 'llevando' is used with 'estar' (to be) to show an action happening right now: 'Estamos llevando los libros' (We are carrying the books right now).
Action to a Destination
When 'llevando' means taking someone somewhere, it usually needs the preposition 'a' (to) followed by the destination.
Confusing 'Llevar' and 'Traer'
Mistake: “Using 'llevando' when you mean 'bringing' something towards the speaker.”
Correction: 'Llevando' means taking something away or carrying it generally. Use 'trayendo' (bringing) if the item is moving toward the person speaking.
cogiendo
/ko-HYEN-do//koˈxjendo/
Examples
Estoy cogiendo el autobús para ir al trabajo.
I am taking the bus to go to work.
Él está cogiendo sus cosas de la mesa.
He is grabbing his things from the table.
The '-ing' form
Cogiendo is a special form of the verb 'coger'. You use it with 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is happening right at this moment.
Regional Sensitivity
Mistake: “Using 'cogiendo' for 'taking a bus' in Mexico.”
Correction: Use 'tomando' instead. In Mexico, 'cogiendo' has a very strong sexual meaning and can be offensive if used in public.
robando
roh-BAHN-doh/roˈβando/
Examples
El hombre fue detenido mientras estaba robando en la tienda.
The man was arrested while he was stealing in the store.
¿Qué estás robando de la cocina? ¡Es mi galleta!
What are you stealing from the kitchen? It's my cookie!
Siento que el trabajo está robando todo mi tiempo libre.
I feel like work is stealing all my free time.
Forming the Continuous Action
You use 'robando' (the gerund) with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that the action is happening right now or was happening continuously in the past: 'Estamos robando' (We are stealing).
Always Ends in -ando
Since the base verb 'robar' ends in -ar, its gerund form always ends in -ando. Verbs ending in -er or -ir use -iendo instead.
Using the Infinitive for Continuous Action
Mistake: “Estamos robar.”
Correction: Estamos robando. Remember that the -ando form is necessary to show the action is ongoing.
Confusing Gerund and Participle
Mistake: “El ladrón estaba robado.”
Correction: El ladrón estaba robando. 'Robado' means 'stolen' (describes the item or the state), while 'robando' describes the action the thief is doing.
Transportation: Tomando vs. Cogiendo
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