miraba
“miraba” means “was looking” in Spanish (past ongoing action).
was looking, used to look
Also: was watching, used to watch
📝 In Action
Ella miraba las olas mientras caminaba por la playa.
A2She was watching the waves while she walked along the beach.
Yo miraba esa serie de niño, pero ya no la veo.
B1I used to watch that series as a kid, but I don't watch it anymore.
El perro miraba fijamente la pelota, esperando que se la tiraran.
A2The dog was looking intently at the ball, waiting for them to throw it.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: miraba
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'miraba' to describe a past habit?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Mirar' comes from the Latin verb *mīrārī*, meaning 'to wonder at' or 'to look at with admiration.' Over time, the meaning simplified to just 'to look' or 'to see,' but it still carries the idea of paying attention.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'miraba' always about seeing things with your eyes?
Yes, 'mirar' is fundamentally about directing your gaze. If you want to say 'I was seeing' (the general sense of sight), you would typically use 'veía' (from the verb 'ver'). 'Miraba' implies intention or attention.
How do I know if 'miraba' means 'I' or 'He/She'?
You must rely on context. If the sentence doesn't use 'yo' or 'él/ella,' look for a subject noun earlier in the conversation. If the speaker is talking about themselves, it's 'I.' If they are talking about a third party, it's 'He/She/You formal.'