mirar

Mirar is a Spanish verb meaning to look at, to watch, or to regard. It can also mean to consider or reflect on something, as in mirar un problema from a particular angle. Mirar is transitive and typically takes a direct object, such as mirar la televisión or mirar a alguien. It is used in a wide range of contexts, from watching a movie to inspecting an object or contemplating an idea.

Etymology and meaning overview: Mirar originates from Latin mirari, meaning to wonder at or admire, and is related to the sense of looking with attention. In modern Spanish, its primary sense remains to direct one’s gaze toward something or someone, though it can also imply examining or analyzing a matter.

Conjugation and grammar: Mirar is a regular -ar verb. Present indicative forms are: miro, miras, mira, miramos, miráis, miran. Key past tenses include preterite: miré, miraste, miró, miramos, mirasteis, miraron; imperfect: miraba, mirabas, miraba, mirábamos, mirabais, miraban. The future is miraré, mirarás, mirará, miraremos, miraréis, mirarán; the conditional: miraría, mirarías, miraría, miraríamos, miraríais, mirarían. The present subjunctive is mire, mires, mire, miremos, miréis, miren. The affirmative imperative is mira (tú), mire (usted), miremos (nosotros), mirad (vosotros), miren (ustedes); the negative forms are no mire, no mires, no miremos, no miréis, no miren. When used with a preposition, typical patterns include mirar a alguien (to look at someone) or mirar hacia algún lugar (to look toward a place).

Usage notes and expressions: Mirar governs a variety of expressions such as mirar de reojo (to glance sideways) and mirar fijamente (to stare intently). Common phrases include mirar la televisión (to watch TV) and mirar hacia adelante (to look ahead). In figurative use, mirar can convey consideration or attention to an issue, as in mirar un problema desde otra perspectiva.

See also: related verbs of perception and common collocations in Spanish, such as ver and observar.