exagerando

Exagerando is the present participle (gerund) of the verb exagerar in Spanish and Portuguese, meaning "exaggerating." It is used to indicate ongoing action in progressive constructions and can function as an adverbial modifier to emphasize a claim or description. In everyday speech it is common to hear phrases built with this form to convey that something is being overstated or overdone.

Etymology and formation: The word derives from Latin exaggerare, formed from ex- “out, thoroughly” plus aggerare “to heap up.” In both Spanish and Portuguese, the gerund is created by adding the suffix -ando to the infinitive, producing exaggerated forms that describe continuous activity.

Usage notes: In Spanish, exaggerando commonly appears in sentences such as “Estoy exagerando” (I am exaggerating) or “Ella está exaggerando con las cifras” (She is exaggerating with the numbers). In Portuguese, equivalents include “Estou exagerando” and “Ela está exagerando com as histórias.” It can also occur in informal contexts to signal criticism of hyperbole, and may appear in headlines, memes, or colloquial dialogue to indicate strong emphasis.

Variation and nuance: While identical in spelling, regional usage may shift slightly in tone. In formal writing, speakers often prefer explicit verbs expressing exaggeration (exagerar, exageração), reserving exagerando for conversational or narrative prose. Overall, exaggerando remains a common, neutral descriptor of ongoing overstatement in both languages.