Skip to content 
Learn how to use “look” in Spanish with this comprehensive guide! There are two main verbs for “to look” and “to see” in Spanish, and even parecer and its reflexive form can be used to express “look” in terms of resemblance or similarity. Check out this guide to learn more and improve your Spanish skills! #SpanishExpressions #LearnSpanish #MirarYVer
What are the main ways to use “look” in Spanish?
In Spanish, there are two main verbs for “to look” and “to see”: mirar and ver. The literal translation of “to look” is mirar, while “to see” is translated as ver. Additionally, parecer and its reflexive form, parecerse, can be used to express “look” in terms of resemblance or similarity.
Mirar and Ver: The Basics
In Spanish, there are two main verbs for “to look” and “to see”: mirar and ver. These words are often used similarly to how we use them in English.
Mirar: To Look
The literal translation of the verb “to look” is mirar:
- We looked at each other before kissing.
-
Nos miramos antes de besarnos.
-
Look at me.
- Mírame.
Ver: To See
On the other hand, Spanish uses ver for “to see”:
- Look around. Do you see anyone you like?
- Mira a tu alrededor. ¿Ves a alguien que te gusta?
Using “See” (Ver) Instead of “Look” (Mirar)
There are some instances when Spanish uses the translation of “see” (ver) where we would normally use “look” (mirar):
- You look beautiful.
-
Te ves hermoso/a (Latin America); Te veo hermoso/a (Spain)
-
How does [he/she] look?
-
¿Cómo se ve?
-
How do I look?
-
¿Cómo me veo?
-
[He/She] is good-looking.
-
[Él/Ella] es guapo/a.
-
Do I look good?
-
¿Me veo bien?
-
How old do I look?
- ¿Cuántos años aparento?
Literal Uses of “See” (Ver)
The literal translation of me veo in the above examples is “I see myself” and it can also be used literally:
- I see myself in the mirror.
- Me veo en el espejo.
Parecer and Parecerse: Another Way to Express “Look”
Another common translation for “look” is parecer and its reflexive form, parecerse. Parecer is used for “to look” or “to seem,” while parecerse is used for “to resemble,” “to be similar,” or “to be alike.”
- You seem jealous. (or look jealous)
-
Pareces celoso/a.
-
She looks young. (or seems young)
-
Parece joven.
-
You look like a dancer. (or seem like a dancer)
- Pareces un bailarín/bailarina.
Conclusion
Understanding the different ways to use “look” in Spanish can be challenging, but with practice, you’ll be able to master these expressions and sound more natural in conversations. Remember to use mirar for “to look,” ver for “to see,” and parecer or parecerse for additional meanings of “look.”
Lessons Learned
Throughout the article, we learned about the various ways to use the word “look” in Spanish, including the two main verbs for “to look” and “to see”: mirar and ver. We also discovered that parecer and its reflexive form, parecerse, can be used to express “look” in terms of resemblance or similarity.
One key takeaway is that the verbs mirar and ver are often used similarly to their English counterparts, with mirar translating to “to look” and ver translating to “to see.” However, it is essential to understand that there are also instances when Spanish uses the translation of “see” (ver) where we would normally use “look” (mirar). This highlights the importance of familiarizing ourselves with the different contexts in which these verbs are used to communicate more effectively and accurately.
Another crucial lesson is the use of parecer and parecerse to express “look” when referring to resemblance, similarity, or even seeming like something. By understanding these additional verbs and their nuances, we can broaden our vocabulary and be more creative and accurate in our expressions when speaking Spanish.
In conclusion, the process of mastering the various ways to use “look” in Spanish may be challenging, but with consistent practice and attentiveness to context, we can significantly improve our Spanish communication skills. Remember to use mirar for “to look,” ver for “to see,” and parecer or parecerse for other meanings of “look” in different scenarios.