You are always sitting down when watching tv, Question about 'se'

Question

Is it..siempre estás sentándose mientras viendo la tv ? Is that the correct use of 'se' ?& does it make sense to use the gerund in this context?

As a side note, when using verbs in the tú form, se becomes te. For example, ducharse becomes te duchas. Se becomes me in the yo form: me ducho. Nos in the nosotros form, etc. - webdunce, May 12, 2011

Answer 1

I would say:

Siempre (te) estás sentado mientras ves la tele(visión).

The te is parenthesis because I'm not entirely sure if it's needed.

I would use ver instead of mirar for watching TV. - lorenzo9, May 12, 2011

Oh, ok, thanks! - Azabache, May 12, 2011

Answer 2

Is it..siempre estás sentándose mientras viendo la tv ? Is that the correct use of 'se' ?& does it make sense to use the gerund in this context?

It makes sense if you sit, stand, sit, stand, and keep doing it all the time, because "sentar(se)" is different in Spanish and English. "Sentar(se)" means to move your bottom towards the seat, while in English it means both that and to remain seated. In Spanish it is a verb of motion, not of state. "Sentándose siempre" implies constant motion, ie. to do it over and over again.

Siempre estás sentado mientras ves la tele.

Though stylistically bad English, a somewhat literal translation might be helpful: "always you are seated when you watch the TV." - webdunce, May 12, 2011

Answer 3

"sentarse" means to adopt/assume a seated position (the act not the state of being seated).

"sentando" is a gerundio/participle not a gerund. "mientras/cuando estás mirando" (but Acabache's "mientras miras" is better).