Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Gentle Ways Together in Spanish
This guide focuses on describing gentle routines and soothing techniques. You will learn how to explain how an action is achieved using the Spanish gerund, which corresponds to the English 'by doing something' structure.
What you'll learn
- Express methods and manners using the Spanish gerund (-ando/-iendo).
- Describe soothing and developmental activities with a baby.
- Expand vocabulary related to infant care and daily interaction.
Spanish phrases for gentle ways together
Te ayudo a calmarte abrazándote fuerte.
I help you settle by holding you close.
The gerund 'abrazando' expresses 'by holding'.
Exploras tu mantita tocándola con los dedos.
You explore your blanket by touching it with your fingers.
'Tocándola' attaches the pronoun 'la' (referring to 'la manta') to the gerund.
Reviso la temperatura del baño usando un termómetro de baño.
I check the bath temperature by using a bath thermometer.
'Usando' is the gerund form of 'usar'.
Hacemos que la toma sea más tranquila tomando descansos cortos.
We make feeding calmer by taking short breaks.
'La toma' refers to a feeding session.
Te animo a gatear poniendo tu juguete cerca.
I encourage you to crawl by placing your toy nearby.
'Poniendo' is the irregular gerund of 'poner'.
Llamas mi atención agitando tus bracitos.
You get my attention by waving your little arms.
'Bracitos' is the diminutive of 'brazos', common in child-directed speech.
Te ayudo a reconocer palabras familiares repitiéndolas durante el día.
I help you recognise familiar words by repeating them during the day.
'Repitiéndolas' shows the stem change (e to i) in the gerund of 'repetir'.
Facilitamos el cambio de pañal manteniendo todo a mano.
We make nappy changes easier by keeping everything within reach.
'A mano' is a common idiom for 'within reach' or 'handy'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Mantita
Little blanket
The suffix -ita makes the word sound softer and more affectionate.
Gatear
To crawl
Specifically used for babies crawling on hands and knees.
Pañal
Nappy / Diaper
A fundamental word for infant care.
Calmarse
To settle / To calm down
A reflexive verb used frequently in soothing contexts.
The Gerund for Manner (The 'By' Construction)
In Spanish, to express 'how' an action is performed (equivalent to 'by + -ing' in English), we use the Gerund. Unlike English, Spanish does not use a preposition like 'por' or 'con' before the verb in this context.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -AR Verbs | Stem + -ando | Hablando (By speaking) |
| -ER/-IR Verbs | Stem + -iendo | Comiendo (By eating) |
| Pronoun Placement | Attached to the end | Ayudándote (By helping you) |
More examples
Aprendes escuchando mi voz.
You learn by listening to my voice.
Simple use of the gerund to show the method of learning.
Te duermes cantando bajito.
You fall asleep by (me) singing softly.
'Bajito' means 'quietly' or 'softly' in this context.