ándose

Andándose is a Spanish linguistic form created by attaching the reflexive pronoun se to the gerund of -ar verbs, resulting in the spelling -ándose. It appears when the action is performed by the subject onto itself, i.e., reflexive actions in the progressive aspect. For example, lavarse (to wash oneself) yields lavándose; ducharse yields duchándose; levantarse yields levantándose. In these cases the -ando gerund is combined with se to indicate that the subject is acting upon itself.

Usage and function: andándose is used to express ongoing or habitual reflexive actions, especially in constructions with estar, seguir, or continuar, as in está lavándose or se está duchando, as well as in gerund phrases embedded in sentences, such as Se pasó la mañana duchándose. The form can also appear when the reflexive pronoun is attached to the gerund for emphasis or stylistic reasons, for example, Se está lavándose las manos.

Placement and variation: Spanish allows two common placements of pronouns in progressive constructions. The reflexive pronoun can precede the conjugated verb (Ella se está lavando) or be attached to the end of the gerund (Ella está lavándose). The latter creates the appearance of the -ándose ending, which is where the term andándose originates.

Limitations: The -ándose form is specific to -ar verbs. Verbs of the -er/-ir group form reflexive gerunds with -iéndose (e.g., comiéndose), not -ándose. The reflexive sense can also shift with reciprocal meaning when a plural subject is involved.

In summary, andándose marks reflexive, ongoing action in Spanish gerund phrases for -ar verbs, commonly seen in progressive constructions.