aprender/aprendiendo

Question

Hello, can i say "me gusta aprendiendo español"? I want to say "I like learning spanish" or more generally I like doing something. Do I use the present gerund like this? Thank you for your time. Lewis.

Answer 1

No. In Spanish we use the infinitive, which is used as the gerund of English, so it would be "Me gusta aprender español."

Me gusta bailar, cantar, jugar, etc.

Answer 2

Thank you, but can i say "estoy aprendiendo español"? or this is wrong too then?

Yes, as long as you are talking about this specific moment. To do this in general, we say "aprendo español" - 005faa61, Mar 28, 2013

I understand, thank you for your help. - lewistempleman, Mar 28, 2013

Answer 3

Thank you, but can i say "estoy aprendiendo español"? or this is wrong too then?

This is a very important distinction between Spanish and English. We use this present progressive tense (I am learning) pretty liberally. I am learning Spanish this year. I am taking classes this semester. Spanish often uses just the present tense for this. Aprendo español. Their present progressive (estoy aprendiendo español) is reserved for things that they are literally doing at just that moment.