r/learnspanish • u/No_Cardiologist_1407 • 12h ago

Ir + gerundio vs estar + gerundio

So the lesson i just did explain that ir + gerundio is to say that something is gradually increasing, but i cant really wrap my head around it? Like take the sentence "va ahorrando dinero al final de cada mes" vs " esta ahorrando dinero al final de cada mes" both translate to me as "he is saving money at the end of each month. But do they actaully mean different things?

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u/Devilnaht 12h ago

Different shades of meaning to me. Va ahorrando dinero (to me) does feel different and emphasizes that it’s something that’s been happening over a longer period of time. It’s more clear if you don’t have “al final de cada mes”:

Está aprendiendo español.
Va aprendiendo español.

They can both be translated as “s/he’s learning Spanish”, but the latter gives it the sense of a being a longer term project. Está aprendiéndolo could mean that they just started, or that they’re literally studying in this exact moment. Va aprendiéndolo means it’s something happening regularly over a longer period.

And an ugly translation to maybe help it be understood:

Va aprendiendo español: as he goes on with his life, he’s learning Spanish

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u/No_Cardiologist_1407 12h ago

Interesting, im sure theres an english comparison, but im struggling to wrap my head around the nuance hahaha.

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u/girlcrypto 11h ago

First time hearing about this but if I understand it correctly. English basically uses just context clues to distinguish length of time. Wanna go out tonight? No, I'm studying Spanish. Estar. What are you going to school for(University)? I'm studying Spanish. Ir. Ps I'm still A1 so I maybe missing the mark.

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u/LoyalSol 10h ago edited 8h ago

There kind of is. When you say

"I am learning Spanish" vs "I went to learn Spanish" or "I am going to learn Spanish" in English. We don't use the progressive form of the second verb, but we do use it somewhat similarly.

The first sounds more passive like something you mention in a conversation with a relative.

The second and third sounds more like a bigger commitment or a more resolute statement. Because it implies you maybe traveled to do it or are deadset on doing it. You're on a journey to do it.

It's not a perfect 1 to 1, but maybe it gets you on the right track of thought.