he estado aprendiendo español
/e estado apɾendjendo espaɲol/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have been learning spanish" is translated into Spanish as he estado aprendiendo español.
This phrase is used to state that you started studying Spanish in the past and continue to do so in the present. You may also use the phrase he estado estudiando español to mean "I have been studying Spanish," as the verb estudiar (to study) is often used interchangeably with aprender (to learn) when discussing language acquisition.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the auxiliary verb he (I have), the past participle estado (been) and the gerund aprendiendo (learning).
Is it said differently in some regions?
To express how long you have been performing the action, you can use desde hace followed by a length of time. In many Latin American dialects, it is also common to use por to express duration (for example, por dos años), though desde hace is often preferred in more formal contexts or in Peninsular Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express how long you have been learning, you can use desde hace followed by the amount of time, such as in the phrase he estado aprendiendo español desde hace dos años.
How do you pronounce it?
/e estado apɾendjendo espaɲol/
Did you know?
- In some historical theories, the name for the Spanish people is linked to the Hebrew word for 'hyrax', a small mammal. This traces back to an ancient Punic term for the coast where these animals lived.
Examples in context
- He estado aprendiendo español durante un añoI have been learning Spanish for a year
- He estado aprendiendo español con una aplicación.I have been learning Spanish with an app.
- He estado aprendiendo español para mi nuevo trabajo.I have been learning Spanish for my new job.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about their hobbies.
- MateoElena, he estado aprendiendo español este año.Elena, I have been learning Spanish this year.
- Elena¡Qué bien! ¿Es difícil?That's great! Is it difficult?
- MateoUn poco, pero me gusta mucho.A little, but I like it a lot.
- ElenaPodemos practicar juntos entonces.We can practice together then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries español, estado, he, CC BY-SA 4.0.
