mirada

/mee-RAH-dah/

look

A simple illustration of a person's head and shoulders, shown actively focusing their eyes intensely toward an object just outside the frame, illustrating the physical act of looking.

Mirada, meaning 'look,' refers to the physical act of directing one's sight.

mirada(noun)

fA1

look

the act of looking

gaze

a fixed or intense look

Also:

glance

a brief, quick look

📝 In Action

Necesito una rápida mirada a tu agenda.

I need a quick look at your schedule.

Ella evitó mi mirada en el pasillo.

She avoided my gaze in the hallway.

El niño se perdió tras una larga mirada al horizonte.

The boy was lost after a long look at the horizon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

vistazo (glance (quick look))
ojeada (quick inspection)

Common Collocations

echar una mirada – to take a look
cruzar miradas – to exchange glances

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'mirada' ends in -a, it is a feminine noun, so you must always use 'la' before it: 'la mirada.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "No me gustas mirar. (Incorrect use of the noun)"

Correction: No me gusta tu mirada. (I don't like your look.) The verb form is 'mirar,' meaning 'to look.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'echar'

The phrase 'echar una mirada' is very common and friendly. It means 'to quickly look at something,' often to help someone out: 'Échale una mirada a mi coche' (Take a look at my car).

A close-up illustration of a face conveying a specific emotion, showing soft, gentle eyes and a slight smile, representing the expression or manner of looking.

Mirada also means 'look' in the sense of the expression or manner conveyed by the eyes, such as a gentle gaze.

mirada(noun)

fB1

look

expression or manner of looking

Also:

mien

literary, referring to the overall appearance or expression

📝 In Action

El director tenía una mirada muy seria.

The director had a very serious look (or expression).

Ella me dirigió una mirada de advertencia.

She gave me a look of warning.

Tenía una mirada llena de esperanza.

She had a look full of hope.

Word Connections

Synonyms

expresión (expression)

Common Collocations

mirada profunda – deep look
mirada fría – cold look

Idioms & Expressions

cambiar de mirada – to change one's attitude or view (often suddenly)

💡 Grammar Points

Adjectives Describe the Feeling

When 'mirada' refers to an expression, you almost always follow it with an adjective or a phrase starting with 'de' to explain the emotion: 'mirada triste,' 'mirada de amor.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mirada

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses the noun 'mirada' instead of the verb 'mirar'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

mirar(to look (verb)) - verb

mirador(viewpoint/overlook (noun)) - noun

mirón(nosy person/snooper (noun)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'mirada' and 'vista'?

'Mirada' is the active, specific act of looking (like a single action or expression). 'Vista' refers to the sense of sight itself or a specific view/landscape. Think of 'vista' as the ability to see, and 'mirada' as how you use that ability.

How do I say 'to stare'?

While 'mirada' is a look, the verb 'mirar' combined with certain adverbs can mean 'to stare,' or you can use the verb 'fijar la mirada' (to fix the gaze) or 'quedarse mirando.'