vigilar
/bixiˈlaɾ/
The English phrase "watch over" is translated into Spanish as vigilar.
vigilar means to guard and protect. While it can be used for protection, it is more commonly used to mean "to monitor" or "to keep an eye on" someone's behavior or a specific situation.
Meaning: to guard and protect (verb)
Which one should you use?
If your intent is to "watch over" someone in the sense of providing care or looking after their well-being, such as a nurse or a babysitter would do, cuidar is often a more natural choice than vigilar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form vigilando is used for continuous actions, such as "watching over". The past participle vigilado can be used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is being watched over or monitored.
How do you pronounce it?
/bixiˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- While vigilar means to watch over, the related word velar can mean to watch over a dying person or a corpse during a wake.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, using vigilar to describe a parent's care for a child can sound like the child is a prisoner or a suspect.
- The word vigilar shares the same Latin root as the English word 'vigil', which refers to a period of staying awake to keep watch.
Examples in context
- Vigílame y te vigilaré.Watch over me, I will watch over you.Tatoeba #1223951 by wallebot, translation #664103 by bluepie88
- Vigile la casa mientras estamos fueraWatch over the house while we're away
- Cuide a los niños durante el eventoWatch over the children during the event
- Es necesario establecer vigilancia sobre el edificioIt is necessary to watch over the building
- Checa mi casa mientras estoy fueraWatch over my house while I'm away
- Cuídame la casa mientras estoy de viajeWatch over the house while I'm away on a trip
- Debes vigilar la casa mientras estamos fuera.You must watch over the house while we are out.
- El guardián va a vigilar el tesoro.The guard is going to watch over the treasure.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are at a crowded airport with their luggage.
- LucíaJavier, ¿puedes vigilar mis maletas un momento?Javier, can you watch over my bags for a moment?
- JavierClaro, Lucía. Yo las vigilo.Sure, Lucía. I will watch over them.
- LucíaGracias, voy a comprar una botella de agua.Thanks, I'm going to buy a bottle of water.
- JavierNo hay problema, ve tranquila.No problem, go ahead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vigilar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vigilar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
