mírame
/miɾame/from spelling rules
The English phrase "watch me" can be translated into Spanish as mírame.
In Spanish, the most common way to say "watch me" is to use a form of the verb for looking or seeing. While the English "watch me" often implies observing an action being performed, the Spanish equivalent focuses on the act of directing one's gaze toward the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word mírame is composed of the imperative verb mira (look) and the enclitic pronoun me (me).
Which one should you use?
While mírame focuses on the act of directing one's gaze toward the speaker, other forms exist depending on whom you are addressing. Use míreme when addressing one person formally, or mírenme when addressing more than one person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexican Spanish, the informal expression Chécame is used to mean "Check me out" or "Watch me".
How does it change in a sentence?
The accent mark on the í in mírame is required in the imperative form to maintain the correct stress on the third-to-last syllable. When addressing a group, use the plural form mírenme.
How do you pronounce it?
/miɾame/
Did you know?
- The verb mirar is an interesting relative of the English word 'mirror'. Both derive from the Latin mirari, which originally meant to wonder at or be amazed by something.
- If you use the word mírame in a certain tone in Spain or parts of Latin America, it can sound like an aggressive or even flirtatious challenge rather than a simple request to look.
- While mírame is the standard translation, the Mexican use of chécame is a linguistic loanword from the English 'check'. It transforms a foreign verb into a colloquial Spanish imperative.
Examples in context
- Mírame.Watch me.This sentence shows a direct command to mírame.Tatoeba #588045 by Shishir, translation #1954282 by CK
- Tráeme una Biblia y mírame jurar solemnemente que no te daré en la cabeza con ella.Grab me a Bible and watch me solemnly swear not to hit you over the head with it.This sentence uses mírame in a context where someone is being told to watch a person swear a solemn oath.Tatoeba #13932771 by rul, translation #8929161 by shekitten
- Mírame a los ojos.Look me in the eyes.
Example conversation
Daniel is trying to show María a magic trick.
- DanielMírame, María, voy a hacer desaparecer esta moneda.Watch me, María, I am going to make this coin disappear.
- MaríaVale, te estoy mirando.Okay, I am watching you.
- Daniel¡Mira! Ya no está.Look! It's gone.
- María¡Qué increíble, Daniel!That's incredible, Daniel!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
