mirando
/miɾando/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for watching is mirando.
mirando describes the act of looking at someone or something with attention. In more formal contexts, you might use observar for general watching, contemplar when watching with a sense of deep observation or admiration or vigilar if the watching involves guarding or keeping an eye on something for security purposes.
Which one should you use?
While mirando refers to the act of directing your eyes toward something, viendo is more commonly used when you are watching something in the sense of viewing a movie or a television show.
How does it change in a sentence?
mirando is the gerund (present participle) of the verb mirar and is used to express a continuous action.
How do you pronounce it?
/miɾando/
Did you know?
- The verb mirar can also mean 'to aim' in certain contexts, such as aiming a weapon or a camera toward a target.
- In Spain, you might hear mira used as a filler word or a way to get someone's attention, similar to how English speakers use 'look' or 'listen' to start a sentence.
- The word vigilar, a formal synonym for watching, shares a root with the English word 'vigil', referring to staying awake to keep watch.
Examples in context
- Está mirando al bicho.He's watching the bug.This sentence shows how to use mirando to describe watching a bug.Tatoeba #4637576 by lawka, translation #1120824 by cntrational
- Alguien me está mirando.Somebody is watching me.This sentence uses mirando to describe someone watching you.Tatoeba #1546435 by marcelostockle, translation #1444761 by Spamster
- Alguien los está mirando.Someone is watching them.This sentence uses mirando to describe someone watching them.Tatoeba #4108627 by Leono, translation #3904272 by CH
- Yo observo las estrellas cada noche.I watch the stars every night.
- Contemplo el hermoso paisaje desde mi ventana.I watch the beautiful landscape from my window.
- Los guardias vigilan el museo durante la noche.The guards watch over the museum at night.
- Estoy mirando una película interesante.I'm watching an interesting movie.
- ¿Ves la televisión?Are you watching TV?
- Voy a echar un vistazo a ese nuevo restaurante.I'm going to take a look at that new restaurant.
- Ver una películaTo watch a movie
- Mirar la televisiónTo watch TV
- Observar el comportamientoTo observe behavior
- Contemplar el atardecerTo watch the sunset
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a park, Maria and Daniel see a street performer.
- MaríaDaniel, mira, hay un mago.Daniel, look, there is a magician.
- DanielSí, lo estoy mirando ahora.Yes, I am watching him now.
- MaríaEs increíble lo que está haciendo.It is incredible what he is doing.
- DanielEs verdad, estoy mirando con atención.It's true, I am watching closely.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
