mirar hacia abajo
/miɾaɾ aθja abaxo/from spelling rules
To look down in Spanish is to say mirar hacia abajo.
To direct one's gaze toward the ground or a lower position.
Which one should you use?
Observar hacia abajo is a formal way to say 'look down' when a more detailed or focused observation is required, and Dirigir la mirada hacia abajo is a formal expression that emphasizes directing or guiding your gaze downward.
How does it change in a sentence?
mirar hacia abajo is an intransitive verbal construction, meaning it does not require a direct object to complete its meaning.
Did you know?
- The word abajo is a cognate of the English verb 'abase', which means to lower someone in rank or prestige.
- In Spanish, while mirar means 'to look', it is used in contexts where English uses 'to watch', such as mirar la televisión.
- The phrase mirar hacia abajo describes a physical action, but using the verb mirar with a person can sometimes imply a judgmental gaze depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Por favor, mire hacia abajo mientras camina por las escalerasPlease look down while walking down the stairs
- El experto observa hacia abajo para detectar cualquier irregularidadThe expert looks down to detect any irregularities
- La profesora pide a los estudiantes que dirijan la mirada hacia abajo durante los ejercicios de meditaciónThe teacher asks the students to look down during meditation exercises
- Si miras hacia abajo, verás el suelo.If you look down, you will see the floor.
- Tienes que mirar hacia abajo al caminar.You have to look down while walking.
- Él prefirió mirar hacia abajo por vergüenza.He preferred to look down out of embarrassment.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are standing on a high balcony.
- JavierLucía, no mires hacia abajo ahora.Lucía, don't look down now.
- Lucía¿Por qué? No tengo miedo.Why? I am not afraid.
- JavierEs mejor mirar hacia abajo con cuidado.It is better to look down carefully.
- LucíaEstá bien, Javier, lo haré despacio.It is okay, Javier, I will do it slowly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abajo, hacia, mirar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
