Italian grammar
Sto cucinando, stai facendo, sta dormendo
Say what is happening right now.
From the scene Sto cucinando (I am cooking)
In short
For something happening right now, use stare plus -ando / -endo: sto cucinando, sta dormendo.
- I am cooking sto cucinando
- you are studying stai studiando
- he / she is sleeping sta dormendo
- what are you doing? cosa stai facendo?
Your turn
Which one goes with you are studying?
Options: sto cucinando · sta dormendo · stai studiando
Show answer
you are studying → stai studiando
How it works
For something happening right now, use stare + the gerund, the -ando / -endo form.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Sì, e il mio coinquilino (blank) già dormendo.
Clue: he
Options: sto · stai · sta
Show answer
Sì, e il mio coinquilino sta già dormendo.
Yes, and my flatmate is already sleeping.
Good to know
Sto, stai, sta + -ando for -are verbs (cucinando), -endo for -ere / -ire verbs (dormendo). Fare is irregular: facendo.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Sto (blank) inglese in terrazza.
Options: studiando · studio · studiato
Show answer
Sto studiando inglese in terrazza.
I am studying English on the terrace.
Good to know
With reflexive verbs the pronoun goes first: ti stai riposando.
I am cooking sto cucinando
Javi
Sto cucinando la cena.
I am cooking dinner.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) la cena.
Options: Sta dormendo · Sto cucinando · Stai studiando
Show answer
Javi
Sto cucinando la cena.
I am cooking dinner.
you are studying stai studiando
Javi
Stai studiando o ti stai riposando?
Are you studying or resting?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) o ti stai riposando?
Options: Sta dormendo · Stai studiando · Sto cucinando
Show answer
Javi
Stai studiando o ti stai riposando?
Are you studying or resting?
he / she is sleeping sta dormendo
what are you doing? cosa stai facendo?
Nuria
Javi, cosa stai facendo?
Javi, what are you doing?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank)?
Options: cosa stai facendo · sto cucinando · stai studiando
Show answer
Nuria
Javi, cosa stai facendo?
Javi, what are you doing?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I am cooking | sto cucinando |
|---|---|
| you are studying | stai studiando |
| he / she is sleeping | sta dormendo |
| what are you doing? | cosa stai facendo? |
More lines from the story
- JaviSì, e il mio coinquilino sta già dormendo.Yes, and my flatmate is already sleeping.
- NuriaSto studiando inglese in terrazza.I am studying English on the terrace.
- NuriaPoverino. E tu stai cucinando!Poor guy. And you're cooking!