ardiendo
/aɾdjendo/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for burning is ardiendo.
ardiendo is used to describe the continuous process of something being on fire or in the state of burning.
Meaning: on fire (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ardiendo describes the continuous process of burning, the adjective ardiente is used to describe something that is 'burning' or 'fiery' in a more permanent or characteristic sense.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɾdjendo/
Did you know?
- If you want to say something is 'burning' because it is extremely hot to the touch, you are more likely to use the verb quemar than arder.
- The verb 'arder' can also be used to describe how someone 'burns' with envy or jealousy.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing a topic as ardiente suggests it is a 'hot topic' or a scandalous piece of news.
Examples in context
- El carbón está ardiendo.The coal is burning.This sentence shows how to describe coal that is currently burning using ardiendo.Tatoeba #5035140 by albrusgher, translation #272235 by CK
- Ella debe estar ardiendo en el infierno.She is probably burning in hell.This sentence uses ardiendo to describe a hypothetical state of burning in hell.Tatoeba #2194366 by marcelostockle, translation #2194362 by marcelostockle
- Las ideas estaban ardiendo, una empujaba a la otra.The ideas were burning, pushing past one another.This sentence uses ardiendo metaphorically to describe ideas that are burning.Tatoeba #12041073 by JSKabylie15, translation #12043123 by DJ_Saidez
- La madera está ardiendoThe wood is burning
- Me gusta sentir el sol quemando mi pielI enjoy feeling the sun burning my skin
- Voy a pegar fuego a mis viejos apuntesI'm going to set my old notes on fire
- El fuego ardía intensamente en la hogueraThe fire was burning intensely in the bonfire
- Lleva un amor ardiente en su corazónHe/she carries a burning love in their heart
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a forest fire from a distance.
- Javier¡Mira, todo el bosque está ardiendo!Look, the whole forest is burning!
- LucíaEs una imagen aterradora, Javier.It is a terrifying sight, Javier.
- JavierEl cielo se ve rojo porque el monte está ardiendo.The sky looks red because the mountain is burning.
- LucíaEspero que los bomberos lleguen pronto.I hope the firefighters arrive soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ardiendo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
