te miro
/te miɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I watch you" is translated into Spanish as te miro.
te miro is used when someone is looking at another person.
Which one should you use?
While te miro is a general way to say "I watch/look at you", the alternative te observo implies a more concentrated, analytical or intense level of watching.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the phrase in the past tense (preterite), change the verb ending from miro to miré.
How do you pronounce it?
/te miɾo/
Did you know?
- The verb miro has a surprising history, as it was actually borrowed from the language of Eastern Polynesian immigrants.
- In Spanish, the expression mirar por encima del hombro literally means 'to look over the shoulder', but it actually describes acting superior or looking down on someone.
- If you want to say 'I watch you' in the sense of 'I am keeping an eye on you' (monitoring), a Spaniard might use te vigilo instead of te miro.
Examples in context
- Le observo mientras trabaja.I watch you while you work.
- Le miro con admiración.I watch you with admiration.
- Le vigilo para garantizar su seguridad.I watch you to ensure your safety.
- Te observo mientras pintas, tienes un talento especial.I watch you while you paint, you have a special talent.
- Te miro cuando bailas y me llenas de alegría.I watch you when you dance, and it fills me with joy.
- Te miro desde lejos.I watch you from afar.
- No te miro, te observo.I don't just look at you, I observe you.
- Te miro fijamente.I watch you intently.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking in a park.
- Alejandro¿Por qué te ríes, Alejandro?Why are you laughing, Alejandro?
- LucíaEs que te miro y me haces gracia.It's just that I look at you and you make me laugh.
- Alejandro¡Qué tonto eres!You are so silly!
- LucíaLo sé, pero te miro con cariño.I know, but I look at you with affection.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries miro, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
