How to Say "turning into" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “turning into” is “convirtiendo” — use 'convirtiendo' when something is physically changing its form or substance into something else, like water becoming ice..
convirtiendo
kohn-veer-tee-EN-doh/kom.bjerˈtjen.do/
Examples
El agua se está convirtiendo en hielo por el frío.
The water is turning into ice because of the cold.
Están convirtiendo la vieja fábrica en un museo de arte moderno.
They are converting the old factory into a modern art museum.
La crisis está convirtiendo la vida en un desafío diario.
The crisis is turning life into a daily challenge.
Continuous Action
The word 'convirtiendo' is the '-ing' form (gerund) and is usually paired with a form of 'estar' (like 'estoy,' 'estás,' 'está') to show an action currently in progress: 'está convirtiendo' means 'is converting'.
The 'e to i' Stem Change
When forming the gerund of 'convertir,' the 'e' in the middle changes to an 'i,' which is why we say 'convirtiendo' instead of 'convertiendo.' This change also happens in the past tense (like 'convirtió').
Using the wrong vowel change
Mistake: “La ciudad está *convertiendo* la basura.”
Correction: La ciudad está *convirtiendo* la basura. (Remember the e > i change in the gerund form!)
volviendo
bol-byén-do/bolˈbjendo/
Examples
Me estoy volviendo loco con tanto ruido.
I am turning into/going crazy with so much noise.
La situación política se está volviendo cada vez más tensa.
The political situation is becoming increasingly tense.
Reflexive Use for Change
In this meaning, 'volviendo' is almost always used reflexively ('volviéndose') to show that the subject is undergoing the change itself.
Losing the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: “Está volviendo difícil.”
Correction: Se está volviendo difícil. When talking about a subject changing its state, you need the 'se' or 'me/te/nos' pronoun.
Physical vs. Psychological Change
Related Translations
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