Inklingo

miran

MEE-rahn/ˈmi.ɾan/

miran means they look in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

they look, you all look

Also: they gaze, they stare
VerbA1regular ar
Three colorful cartoon figures standing together outdoors, all turning their heads and focusing their eyes intently on an unseen object above them.
infinitivemirar
gerundmirando
past Participlemirado

📝 In Action

Los turistas miran el mapa para encontrar la plaza.

A1

The tourists look at the map to find the square.

Ustedes miran muy serios, ¿pasa algo?

A2

You all look very serious, is something happening?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • observan (they observe)
  • ven (they see)

Common Collocations

  • miran fijamentethey stare intently
  • miran haciathey look toward

they watch, you all watch

Also: they view
VerbA2regular ar
Spain
Two simple cartoon figures sitting comfortably on a couch in a darkened room, intensely focused on a large, brightly glowing rectangular screen in front of them, illustrating sustained viewing.
infinitivemirar
gerundmirando
past Participlemirado

📝 In Action

Mis padres miran las noticias todas las noches.

A2

My parents watch the news every night.

Los aficionados miran el partido con mucha emoción.

B1

The fans watch the game with great excitement.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ven (they see/watch)
  • observan (they observe)

Common Collocations

  • miran la televisiónthey watch television
  • miran una películathey watch a movie

Idioms & Expressions

  • miran por encima del hombrothey look down on someone (act superior)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedmira
yomiro
miras
ellos/ellas/ustedesmiran
nosotrosmiramos
vosotrosmiráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmiraba
yomiraba
mirabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesmiraban
nosotrosmirábamos
vosotrosmirabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedmiró
yomiré
miraste
ellos/ellas/ustedesmiraron
nosotrosmiramos
vosotrosmirasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedmire
yomire
mires
ellos/ellas/ustedesmiren
nosotrosmiremos
vosotrosmiréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmirara/mirase
yomirara/mirase
miraras/mirases
ellos/ellas/ustedesmiraran/mirasen
nosotrosmiráramos/mirásemos
vosotrosmirarais/miraseis

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "miran" in Spanish:

they gazethey lookthey starethey viewthey watch

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: miran

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'miran' correctly in the sense of 'watching a show'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
mirar(to look, to watch)Infinitive Verb
la mirada(the look, the gaze)Noun
mirón/mirada(spectator, peeping tom)Noun / Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
tirangiran
📚 Etymology

The verb 'mirar' comes from the Latin word *mirari*, which meant 'to wonder at' or 'to admire.' This connection shows that the original action of looking was often tied to something surprising or impressive.

First recorded: Early Medieval Spanish (c. 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: mirarFrench: mirer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'miran' the same as 'ven'?

Not exactly. 'Miran' (from *mirar*) means 'they actively look or watch' (like aiming your eyes). 'Ven' (from *ver*) means 'they see' or 'they perceive' (the result of looking). They are often interchangeable when talking about watching TV, but 'miran' implies more intent.

Why does the entry include 'ustedes' (you all) in the translation?

'Miran' is the verb form used for both 'ellos/ellas' (they) and 'ustedes' (the formal way to address a group of people, meaning 'you all'). In Latin America, 'ustedes' is the standard plural 'you'.