grammar.verbs.infinitive-uses
Using the infinitive: after prepositions and as a noun
After every preposition and as a verbal noun, Spanish uses the infinitive where English uses -ing: antes de salir, ver para creer, el saber no ocupa lugar.
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Explanation
Prepositions take infinitives, never gerunds: sin pagar, después de comer, para entender. Same-subject 'que clauses' compress to infinitives: espero poder ir.
As a noun (sometimes with el): fumar es caro, me encanta el cantar de los pájaros. On signs, the infinitive serves as a neutral imperative: no fumar, empujar.
Because the infinitive is Spanish's verbal noun, it can take an article and act as a full subject: el fumar perjudica la salud, su constante quejarse cansa. This is also why menu and sign language stays in the infinitive — no fumar, no tocar — where it reads as a neutral, impersonal instruction.
Examples
Thanks for coming.
Region: global
No smoking.
Region: global
After having dinner we went out for a walk; walking at night relaxes me.
Region: global