construindo

Construindo is the gerúndio of the Portuguese verb construir, meaning building or in the process of being built. It denotes ongoing action or a process of creation, applicable to both concrete construction (a house, a bridge) and abstract activities (a project, a career, a reputation).

Etymology and grammar: the form comes from construir, which derives from Latin constructus, via constructio, related to struere “to pile up, build.” The gerúndio ends with -indo (construindo) and expresses progressive aspect. In Brazilian Portuguese it is common to say “está construindo” for “is building,” while European Portuguese often uses “está a construir” or “vem construindo,” depending on context.

Usage: “Ele está construindo uma casa.” “A cidade tem construído infraestrutura ao longo dos anos.” “Ela está construindo uma carreira na música.” The gerúndio can also describe a concurrent or ongoing action within a larger context, as in “Ele entrou sorrindo.” Metaphorically, the form can express development processes, such as “construindo uma reputação” or “construindo conhecimento.”

Notes: in some formal writing, excessive use of the gerúndio is discouraged in favor of simpler or more precise constructions, and regional preferences may affect its frequency. Beyond daily speech, construindo remains a core tool for expressing ongoing activity in both physical and abstract domains.