estoy comiendo
/estoi komjendo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I am eating" is estoy comiendo.
The phrase estoy comiendo is used to express that the speaker is currently in the process of eating food.
Which one should you use?
While estoy comiendo emphasizes an action that is currently in progress, the simple present form como can also be used to mean "I am eating" in many contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Colombia and parts of Central America, Estoy almorzando is used to mean "I am eating" specifically during lunchtime. In Mexico and parts of Central America, Me estoy echando algo is an informal alternative for "I am eating."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous construction, which consists of the auxiliary verb estar in the first-person singular and the gerund of comer.
Did you know?
- The verb comer can be used metaphorically to mean being deceived, such as in the expression me comí el cuento, which translates to 'I swallowed the story'.
- There is a specific verb, merendar, used specifically for the late afternoon snack known as 'la merienda', which has no direct single-word equivalent in English.
- When people are eating small amounts of food or snacking between main meals, they often say they are picando, which comes from the verb for 'to peck'.
Examples in context
- Estoy comiendo una pera.I am eating a pear.This sentence shows how to use estoy comiendo with a specific food item.Tatoeba #1256539 by hayastan, translation #2238989 by danepo
- Dile que estoy comiendo.Tell her that I am eating.This sentence is useful for reporting your current action to someone else using estoy comiendo.Tatoeba #1741682 by Shishir, translation #1741545 by Amastan
- Estoy comiendo un plátano.I am eating a banana.This sentence shows how to use estoy comiendo with a different fruit.Tatoeba #13708227 by ecorralest101, translation #671764 by aikidave
- Disculpe, pero no podré reunirme con ustedes esta noche. Estoy cenando con mi familia.I'm sorry, but I won't be able to meet you tonight. I am having dinner with my family.
- ¿Quieres salir a jugar? No puedo ahora, estoy comiendo mi merienda.Do you want to go play? I can't right now, I am eating my snack.
- ¿Quieres acompañarme? Estoy almorzando en el comedor.Do you want to join me? I'm eating in the dining room.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro calls Lucía while she is having lunch.
- LucíaHola, ¿puedes hablar ahora?Hello, can you talk now?
- AlejandroNo puedo, estoy comiendo.I can't, I am eating.
- LucíaPerdón, te llamo más tarde.Sorry, I will call you later.
- AlejandroEstá bien, hablamos luego.That is fine, we will talk later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
