sigue comiendo
/siɡe komjendo/from spelling rules
To say 'keep eating' in Spanish, you use sigue comiendo.
The phrase is used to tell someone to continue the act of eating food. You may also hear the informal phrase No pares de comer to mean 'don't stop eating', or the informal ¡Dale, sigue comiéndote eso! to mean 'go ahead and keep eating'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb seguir (to continue/follow) and the gerund comiendo (eating).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may use the regional variation Seguí comiendo, por favor to say 'keep eating, please'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an imperative command, sigue comiendo tells someone (tú) to continue the action of eating. The phrase uses the present indicative of seguir to express an ongoing action in the continuous aspect.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb comer is not just a general term for eating, but is specifically used to refer to the act of eating lunch, which is traditionally the main meal of the day.
- The word comiendo is a gerund, but unlike in English, Spanish gerunds cannot function as nouns. You cannot use comiendo to mean 'the act of eating' as a subject of a sentence.
- Using a reflexive pronoun to say comiéndote instead of comiendo does not change the basic meaning, but suggests the person is eating with more enthusiasm or consuming the food more completely.
Examples in context
- Sigue comiendo higos. Son buenos para la salud.Keep eating figs. They're good for health.This sentence shows how to use sigue comiendo when suggesting someone continue eating a specific food for its health benefits.Tatoeba #13559779 by Seael, translation #9771339 by Amastan
- Si tienes hambre, sigue comiendo.If you are hungry, keep eating.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are having lunch at a restaurant.
- DanielLa comida está muy rica, Lucía.The food is very delicious, Lucía.
- LucíaSí, pero ya estoy casi llena.Yes, but I am almost full.
- DanielNo te detengas, sigue comiendo un poco más.Don't stop, keep eating a little more.
- LucíaEstá bien, Daniel, probaré otro bocado.Alright, Daniel, I will try another bite.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
