estar + Gerund

Present Progressive

Level 2

The present progressive (estar + gerúndio) is the standard way to say 'I am doing' something in Brazilian Portuguese. It combines the conjugated verb estar with a main verb ending in -ndo.

How It Works

This construction is used to describe actions that are currently in progress or temporary situations.

1. Formation:
To form the gerund, replace the infinitive ending with:

  • -ar verbs: falar → falando (speaking)
  • -er verbs: comer → comendo (eating)
  • -ir verbs: dormir → dormindo (sleeping)

2. Irregularities:
While most verbs are regular, note these common exceptions:

  • pôr: pondo
  • vir: vindo

3. Invariability:
The gerund form is invariable. This means it never changes to match the gender or number of the subject (e.g., Ela está falando / Eles estão falando).

4. Usage:
In Brazil, this is the universal way to express the continuous present. In Portugal, while estar a + infinitivo is more common in the north and Lisbon, the gerund form is still naturally used in southern regions and the islands.

5. Nuance:
Unlike English, Portuguese rarely uses this form for future plans. To say 'I am traveling tomorrow,' Portuguese speakers usually use the simple present or ir + infinitive.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu estou estudando português agora.

    I am studying Portuguese now.

    Word by Word: I am studying Portuguese now.

    A classic example of an action happening at the exact moment of speaking.

  2. O que você está fazendo?

    What are you doing?

    Word by Word: The what you are doing?

    A very common question used to ask about someone's current activity.

  3. Eles estão dormindo no sofá.

    They are sleeping on the sofa.

    Word by Word: They are sleeping in the sofa.

    Shows the plural conjugation of 'estar' combined with the gerund.

  4. Nós estamos comendo pizza.

    We are eating pizza.

    Word by Word: We are eating pizza.

    Demonstrates the -endo ending for -er verbs.

  5. Ela está pondo a mesa.

    She is setting the table.

    Word by Word: She is putting the table.

    The verb 'pôr' is one of the few irregular gerunds, ending in -ondo.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'.

    Eu sou falando.
    Eu estou falando.

    The progressive always uses 'estar' because it describes a temporary state or action, never 'ser'.

  • Using Spanish endings (-iendo) for -er/-ir verbs.

    Estou comiendo.
    Estou comendo.

    In Portuguese, -er verbs always end in -endo and -ir verbs in -indo. The Spanish -iendo does not exist in Portuguese.

  • Using the gerund as a noun (subject of a sentence).

    Fumando é ruim.
    Fumar é ruim.

    In English, we say 'Smoking is bad.' In Portuguese, you must use the infinitive (Fumar) when the verb acts as a noun.

How It Connects

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estar + GerundLevel 2Present Progressive

Learn This First

To form the present progressive in Portuguese, you need to know how to conjugate the verb 'estar' in the present tense and how to identify the stems of regular verbs to attach the gerund endings (-ando, -endo, -indo).

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