Inklingo

asomar

ah-so-MAR/asoˈmaɾ/

asomar means to peek out in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to peek out

Also: to lean out
VerbA2regular ar
General Latin America
A curious small cat peeking its head out from behind a bright wooden door.
gerundasomando
past Participleasomado
infinitiveasomar

📝 In Action

No te asomes por la ventana, es peligroso.

A2

Don't lean out the window, it's dangerous.

El niño se asomó a la puerta para ver quién llegaba.

B1

The boy peeked through the door to see who was arriving.

Me gusta asomarme al balcón todas las mañanas.

A2

I like to look out from the balcony every morning.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mirar (to look)
  • atisbar (to peer)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • asomarse a la ventanato peek out the window
  • asomarse al balcónto look out from the balcony

Idioms & Expressions

  • ni asomarseto not show one's face at all

to begin to appear

Also: to emerge
VerbB2regular ar
A bright yellow sun just starting to rise over the edge of a green hill.
gerundasomando
past Participleasomado
infinitiveasomar

📝 In Action

El sol empezaba a asomar por las montañas.

B1

The sun was starting to peek over the mountains.

Una sonrisa se asomó a sus labios.

B2

A smile began to show on her lips.

Las primeras flores asoman en el jardín.

B2

The first flowers are starting to show in the garden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aparecer (to appear)
  • despuntar (to dawn/emerge)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • asomar el solthe sun peeking out
  • asomar una dudaa doubt starting to surface

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesasomaran
yoasomara
asomaras
vosotrosasomarais
nosotrosasomáramos
él/ella/ustedasomara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesasomen
yoasome
asomes
vosotrosasoméis
nosotrosasomemos
él/ella/ustedasome

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesasomaron
yoasomé
asomaste
vosotrosasomasteis
nosotrosasomamos
él/ella/ustedasomó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesasomaban
yoasomaba
asomabas
vosotrosasomabais
nosotrosasomábamos
él/ella/ustedasomaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesasoman
yoasomo
asomas
vosotrosasomáis
nosotrosasomamos
él/ella/ustedasoma

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "asomar" in Spanish:

to emerge

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: asomar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'The sun started to peek through'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
asomo(hint / sign)Noun
asomado(peeking / looking out)Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish 'a-' (to) plus 'soma' (top/summit), which comes from Latin 'summa'. Originally meant to reach the top of a hill to look over.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: assomar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'asomar' and 'asomarse'?

'Asomarse' is used when a person leans their own body out to look. 'Asomar' is used when you stick an object out (like a hand) or when something appears naturally (like the sun).

Does 'asomar' always mean to peek?

Mostly, yes! It implies showing just a part of something or appearing gradually. It's less 'sudden' than the verb 'aparecer' (to appear).

Can I use 'asomar' for emotions?

Yes! It's very common to say things like 'una lágrima asomó a sus ojos' (a tear appeared in her eyes).