miraban

Miraban is the imperfect indicative form of the Spanish verb mirar, meaning to look or to watch. It is used with third-person plural subjects (ellos, ellas) and with ustedes in many dialects. The translation generally corresponds to “they were looking at” or “you all were looking at,” depending on the subject.

In usage, miraban describes past actions that were ongoing or habitual. It sets scenes in narratives or reports actions without specifying a definite end. For example: “Los niños miraban las estrellas” (The children were looking at the stars). “Cuando llovía, miraban por la ventana” (When it rained, they looked out the window).

Grammar notes: miraban is formed from the stem of mirar plus the imperfect endings -aban for third-person plural. In Spain, the corresponding form for vosotros is mirabais, which is the second-person plural in the imperfect; in Latin American and many other dialects, ustedes miraban serves as the plural for both formal and informal you and for they.

If Miraban is encountered as a proper noun, such as a title or place name in a work of fiction or a local designation, this usage would be separate from the verb form and would require specific context. Otherwise, miraban primarily appears as a conjugated verb form in Spanish texts.