andar + Gerund
Going Around Doing: Andar + Gerund
Andar + gerund describes an activity spread out over time, often here and there: Anda buscando traballo (she is looking for work, these days). Anda a buscar means the same.
How It Works
Form
Conjugate andar and add a gerund: ando buscando, andabas dicindo, andan facendo. Or use andar a + infinitive: ando a buscar. The two mean the same.
Meaning
- A prolonged activity: Anda buscando traballo desde o verán.
- On and off, here and there: Andaba dicindo iso a todo o mundo (he was going around telling everyone).
- Something on your mind: Ando pensando en cambiar de piso (I have been thinking about moving).
- A light or disapproving tone: Que andas facendo? (what are you up to?)
Compare
- Estou buscando as chaves: right now, at this moment.
- Ando buscando piso: over recent days or weeks.
- Levo un mes buscando piso: says how long.
- Sigo buscando piso: still, without stopping.
Pronouns
An object pronoun can attach to the gerund: Anda buscándoa por todas partes (he has been looking for her everywhere). See pronouns in verb phrases.
Examples (6)
- Anda buscando traballo desde o verán.
She has been looking for work since the summer.
The search is spread over months, not happening at one moment.
- Andaba dicindo iso a todo o mundo.
He was going around telling everyone that.
Andar suggests the telling happened here and there, to many people.
- Ando pensando en cambiar de piso.
I have been thinking about moving to a new flat.
- Que andas facendo por aquí?
What are you doing around here?
A relaxed way to ask what someone is up to.
- Andan a arranxar a estrada.
They have been working on the road.
Andar a + infinitive means the same as andar + gerund.
- Anda buscándoa por todas partes.
He has been looking for her everywhere.
The pronoun a attaches to the gerund, which then takes a written accent.
Common Mistakes
Mixing the two forms by putting a before a gerund.
Ando a buscando traballo.Ando buscando traballo.Use either andar + gerund (ando buscando) or andar a + infinitive (ando a buscar), but not a + gerund.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Andar with a gerund describes an extended or recurrent activity.
Related Patterns
- estar a + InfinitiveAction in Progress: Estar a + Infinitive
The a + infinitive pattern that also works with andar.
Level 2 - Forming the Gerund
How to form the gerund used in this pattern.
Level 2 - seguir + GerundContinuing: Seguir + Gerund
Seguir + gerund stresses that an activity continues.
Level 3 - levar + TimeHow Long: Levar
Levar + time + gerund says how long an activity has lasted.
Level 3 - ir + GerundGradual Progress: Ir + Gerund
Ir + gerund describes gradual progress rather than activity here and there.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice andar + Gerund in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Galician lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
