mirando
/miɾando/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for 'looking' is mirando.
mirando describes the act of directing one's eyes toward something or someone to see them. When you are looking at a specific person or object, you often use the preposition a after the verb, forming mirar a.
Which one should you use?
mirando is the form used to express the continuous action of looking, while mirar is the infinitive 'to look'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use the informal verbs chacharear or curiosear to mean 'to look around' or 'to poke around'.
How does it change in a sentence?
mirando is the gerund form of the verb mirar and is used to express continuous action.
How do you pronounce it?
/miɾando/
Did you know?
- If you are 'looking for' something, you must use the verb buscar instead of mirar, as mirar only refers to the physical action of sight.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone is 'looking' at you in a way that feels intense or suspicious, you might say they are mirándote con mala cara, which literally means 'looking at you with a bad face'.
- Spanish has a specific word ojear for 'looking' or 'glancing' through a book or document quickly, which is distinct from the general mirar.
Examples in context
- Él me está mirando.He's looking at me.This sentence is useful for showing how to say 'He's looking at me' using mirando.Tatoeba #1869308 by Shishir, translation #1853847 by Spamster
- ¿Tom me está mirando?Is Tom looking at me?This sentence is useful for asking 'Is Tom looking at me?' using mirando.Tatoeba #4345018 by pchamorro, translation #3094192 by CK
- ¿Me estás mirando a mí?Are you looking at me?This sentence is useful for asking 'Are you looking at me?' using mirando.Tatoeba #2214160 by Shishir, translation #2214121 by Hybrid
- Tengo que buscar un nuevo empleo.I have to look for a new job.
- Estoy buscando información sobre ese tema.I am looking for information on that topic.
- Voy a indagar sobre ese asunto.I am going to look into that matter.
- Están indagando los detalles del incidente.They are investigating the details of the incident.
- ¿Estás mirando esa película?Are you looking at/watching that movie?
- Estoy mirando a los pájaros en el parque.I am looking at the birds in the park.
- Ven, echemos un vistazo a la nueva tienda.Come, let's take a look at the new store.
- Voy a echarle un vistazo al libro que me recomendaste.I'm going to have a look at the book you recommended.
- Voy a ojear el periódico antes de salir.I'm going to glance at the newspaper before leaving.
- Estuvimos curioseando en el mercado.We were poking around in the market.
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are at a museum looking at a painting.
- SofíaMira ese cuadro, Mateo.Look at that painting, Mateo.
- MateoSí, me quedé mirando los colores.Yes, I stayed looking at the colors.
- SofíaParece que el hombre nos está mirando.It seems like the man is looking at us.
- MateoTienes razón, Sofía, vamos a caminar.You are right, Sofía, let's walk.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
