¡Hola! We've already touched on hobbies with 'gustar' in Chapter 20. Now, let's explore even more ways to talk about what we do for fun and, importantly, how to describe actions that are happening right now. In this chapter, we'll learn about 'El Tiempo Libre' – free time – and introduce the present progressive tense, a very useful tool for describing ongoing actions. Get ready to tell everyone what you're doing at this very moment!
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
(Optional Review): From Chapter 20, how would you say 'I like to play soccer'? (Me gusta jugar al fútbol.) What about 'She loves to dance'? (A ella le encanta bailar.)
The present progressive (also called the present continuous) is used to describe actions that are happening right now, at the moment of speaking. It's equivalent to the English "-ing" form (e.g., "I am eating," "They are studying").
Present tense of estar (to be) + present participle of the main verb.
| Infinitive | Change | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|
| leer (to read) | -iendo → -yendo | leyendo |
| oír (to hear) | -iendo → -yendo | oyendo |
| construir (to construct) | -iendo → -yendo | construyendo |
| dormir (to sleep) | o → u | durmiendo |
| morir (to die) | o → u | muriendo |
| pedir (to ask for) | e → i | pidiendo |
| servir (to serve) | e → i | sirviendo |
Master free time vocabulary and the present progressive.
Import Chapter 22 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Write the present participle for each verb.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Complete the sentences with the correct form of estar and the present participle.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Read each sentence and indicate if it describes a habitual action (H) or an action happening now (N).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Write three Spanish sentences describing what you or people you know are doing right now (or what you typically do in free time). Use the present progressive.
(Answers will vary.)
Instructions: Translate the following questions into Spanish.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Write three sentences about what you typically do on the weekends, using new vocabulary (simple present is fine here). Then, write one sentence about what you are doing right after finishing this exercise (present progressive).
(Answers will vary.)
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, one person mimes a free time activity. The others guess what they are doing by asking "¿Qué estás haciendo?" and then responding with "Estás [activity-ando/-iendo]."
Instructions: One person thinks of a hobby. The other person asks questions about it, using the present progressive, to guess.
Example:
Student A: Piensa en un pasatiempo.
Student B: ¿Estás corriendo?
Student A: No, no estoy corriendo.
Student B: ¿Estás leyendo?
Student A: Sí, estoy leyendo.Instructions: Interview a partner about their free time activities. Ask about what they like to do in general and what they are doing specifically at certain times (e.g., "What are you doing this evening?", "What are you doing this weekend?").
Free time in Spanish-speaking cultures often revolves around social interaction and outdoor activities. Parks, plazas, and public spaces are frequently used for gathering, walking, and enjoying leisure time with family and friends.
The 'paseo' (stroll or walk) is a common and cherished free-time activity, especially in the evenings, where people often walk through town squares or along waterfronts to socialize and relax.
Sports, especially soccer (fútbol ), are immensely popular. Following local and international teams, watching games, and playing recreational soccer are major pastimes for many.
Festivals and local celebrations also play a huge role in free time, offering opportunities for music, dance, parades, and community gathering.
Salir : Means "to go out" or "to leave." It emphasizes the act of exiting a place or beginning an outing.
Example: Voy a salir de casa.
Example: Me gusta salir con mis amigos.
Ir : Means "to go" (general movement towards a destination). It focuses on the destination.
Example: Voy a ir al gimnasio.
Key takeaway: Use "salir" for leaving or social outings. Use "ir" for going to a destination.
Caminar : General verb for "to walk" (transportation/exercise).
Example: Me gusta caminar por la mañana.
Pasear : Means "to stroll," "to take a walk" (leisurely, recreational).
Example: Nos gusta pasear por el parque.
Key takeaway: Use "caminar" for walking. Use "pasear" for leisurely strolls.
Ver películas : "to watch movies" (plural - individual films).
Example: Los fines de semana, me gusta ver películas.
Ver una serie : "to watch a series" (singular - an episodic TV/web show).
Example: Ella está viendo una serie muy interesante.
Key takeaway: "Películas" for films, "serie" for episodic shows.
Let's see what the González family is doing on their Saturday!
Hoy es sábado y la familia González está en casa. Todos están disfrutando de su tiempo libre.
El padre, Juan, está leyendo el periódico en el patio. A él le gusta mucho leer y descansar los sábados. La madre, Ana, está cocinando algo delicioso en la cocina. Ella siempre prepara la comida favorita de la familia los fines de semana.
Los niños, Sofía y Miguel, están jugando videojuegos en la sala. A ellos les encanta jugar. Pero ahora, su abuela, Clara, está llamando. Ella pregunta: "¿Qué están haciendo?"
Más tarde, la familia va a ir a la playa. A todos les gusta nadar y tomar el sol. Por la noche, están saliendo a cenar a un restaurante. Juan dice: "¡Hoy estamos pasando un día muy bueno!"
Today is Saturday and the González family is at home. Everyone is enjoying their free time.
The father, Juan, is reading the newspaper on the patio. He really likes to read and rest on Saturdays. The mother, Ana, is cooking something delicious in the kitchen. She always prepares the family's favorite food on weekends.
The children, Sofía and Miguel, are playing video games in the living room. They love to play. But now, their grandmother, Clara, is calling. She asks: "What are you (all) doing?"
Later, the family is going to go to the beach. Everyone likes to swim and sunbathe. At night, they are going out to dinner at a restaurant. Juan says: "Today we are having a very good day!"
Free Time Activities: descansar, dormir la siesta, relajarse, salir (con amigos, a cenar), caminar/pasear, correr, nadar, ir al gimnasio, practicar deportes, hacer yoga, meditar, escuchar podcasts, jugar juegos de mesa, visitar museos/galerías, hacer voluntariado, aprender a cocinar, ver una serie, usar el teléfono/la computadora, tomar fotos, ir de excursión, asistir a un concierto, ir a la playa, montar en bicicleta, dibujar/pintar, escribir.
Other: ahora, en este momento, el periódico, el sol, el día, fin de semana, la tarde.
Formation and usage of the present progressive (estar + present participle), regular and common irregular present participles, distinguishing between simple present and present progressive.
¡Felicidades! You've learned many new free time activities and, more importantly, how to use the present progressive to describe ongoing actions. This will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in real-time conversations. In our next chapter, 'La Ropa y los Colores' (Clothing and Colors), we will learn vocabulary for different types of clothing and how to describe them using colors and patterns. Get ready to talk about fashion in Spanish!