The present progressive tense describes actions happening right now, at this very moment. Just like in English when we say "I am working" or "She is eating", Spanish uses estar + gerund (-ando/-iendo forms) to express ongoing actions in the present.
⏰ Present Progressive: Same Concept, Different Structure
In English, we use "be + -ing" to show ongoing actions. Spanish uses "estar + gerund" for exactly the same purpose.
English Structure:
"I am working"
(be + verb-ing)
"I am working"
(be + verb-ing)
Spanish Structure:
"Estoy trabajando"
(estar + gerund)
"Estoy trabajando"
(estar + gerund)
The key is learning how to form the gerund (the -ando/-iendo form) and combining it with the correct form of estar.