Andar + infinitive/gerund

Question

Ando haciendo mi mascara. (from a facebook post) got me thinking about andar + infinitive. That sounds like "my mascara is running" even though andar means to walk/ go around. I would ordinarily think andar + infinitive means "I go around........" Ando diciendo "waka waka" = I go around saying "waka waka" isn't that right? Graicas.

Are you trying to say Andar+gerundio? I see no examples of andar+infinitive - 0074b507, Jun 12, 2010

oh yeah - jeezzle, Jun 12, 2010

Answer 1

2 great explainations above.

Andar, when used idiomatically, also conveys a feeling of continuing action or state of being.

5 (realizar una acción: + gerundio) anda contando por ahí tu vida y milagros, he's telling everybody all about you - from wordreference.com - NikkiLR, Jun 13, 2010

"2" is referring to the two previous posts - Maria Claire & Marianne answering Jeezzle - 005faa61, Jun 13, 2010

I know :) I was just putting an example to yours. - NikkiLR, Jun 13, 2010

Answer 2

The SD dictionary actually gives some good examples of the many uses of "andar." I think your interpretation of "to go around....(doing something)" is good.

Ando haciendo mi mascara.

After reading the dictionary entry (Number 3), I think this just means "I"m doing/putting on my mascara/makeup."

Other examples of "andar" where it doesn't mean "to walk."

no andes en mis cosas = keep out of my things

el reloj no anda = the clock won't go, the clock isn't working

¿cómo anda esto? = how does this work?

¿qué tal andas? = how are you (doing)?

andar preocupado = to be worried

creo que anda por el almacén = I think he is somewhere in the warehouse

anda explicando sus aventuras = he's talking about his adventures

Answer 3

Here's some other uses of Andar, including the meaning of just 'going about' or 'going around' and one I hadn't come across so much - 'to be' Andar