How to say "I am studying"?

Question

Would I say "soy estudiando"

or "estudio..."

I know the first is wring but it it something to that effect?

I need to translate, " I am studying chemistry at university..."

cheers!

Answer 1

Hello Student-bo!

You ask a good question. You're dealing with at least two separate issues here. One is Ser vs. Estar. The other is whether to conjugate the verb of interest (estudiar) or describe your activity in the progressive tense. (By the way, I believe that to call it a "tense" in Spanish is actually incorrect.)

Estudio - I study - In this case, "Estudiar" is conjugated to show that you are the one doing the studying.

Estoy estudiando - I am studying - In this case, "Estar" is conjugated to show that I am the one doing the studying.

Estudio la quimica en la universidad - I study chemistry in university.

Estoy estudiando la quimica en la universidad. - I am studying Chemistry in University.

It wouldn't be correct to say "Soy estudiando." This is where the question of Ser vs Estar comes in. Ser should be used to indicate permanent traits like one's appearance, place of birth, etc. Estar is used for more transient and pliable states like moods, and temporary states of being. The following link will take you to a great reference article on the subject:

Ser vs Estar

Good luck and happy studying!

-Mateo

ah yes thank you I see now, soy is more for explaining one's nationality, thank you! - student-bo, Sep 12, 2011

Good answer Mateo, that has helped me too. - pmikan-pam, Apr 10, 2012

Answer 2

Estoy estudiando, or estoy ensayando.

Answer 3

hola,your answer is , estoy estudiando,

Answer 4

You should use "Estoy" not "Soy" . you can see the difference here

Your sentence is translated like this : Estoy estudiando química en la Universidad

Answer 5

From what I have learned, use of the present progressive is much more limited in Spanish than in English, and so usually you will use the simple indicative present unless you are trying to emphasize that is something that you are doing right then and there, so "estoy estudiando" would be used in the sense that you are in front of your books right now and actively studying, and not for something you are generally doing in your life at that time, but not actively engaged in at the moment. I am a beginner however.

Estoy completamente de acuerdo.:) - Deanski, Sep 12, 2011

Thank you for the confirmation, Dean. :-) - Stadt, Sep 12, 2011

Answer 6

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