mirando
/mee-RAHN-doh/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Estoy mirando la televisión.
A1I am watching television.
¿Qué estás mirando?
A1What are you looking at?
Pasé la tarde mirando las nubes.
A2I spent the afternoon looking at the clouds.
Ella aprendió a cocinar mirando a su abuela.
B1She learned to cook by watching her grandmother.
💡 Grammar Points
The Spanish '-ing' Form
'Mirando' is the Spanish way to add '-ing' to the verb 'mirar' (to look). It's called a 'gerundio' and it describes an action that is in progress. You almost always use it with a helper verb like 'estar' (to be).
How to Form It
For verbs ending in -ar, like 'mirar', you just drop the -ar and add -ando. It's a very reliable pattern! For verbs ending in -er or -ir, you usually add -iendo.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it Alone
Mistake: "Yo mirando la tele."
Correction: Yo estoy mirando la tele.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Two Actions at Once
You can use 'mirando' to describe something you do while doing something else. For example: 'Caminaba por la calle, mirando los escaparates' (I was walking down the street, looking at the shop windows).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mirando
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly says 'They are watching a movie'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'mirando' and 'viendo'?
'Mirando' means you are actively directing your eyes at something, like 'looking at' a painting or 'watching' a game. 'Viendo' (from the verb 'ver') is more about the general act of 'seeing' with your eyes. You can be 'viendo' (seeing) everything in a room, but 'mirando' (looking at) just one specific thing.
Can I ever use 'mirando' without 'estar'?
Yes, but in more advanced ways. For example, to say how you did something: 'Conseguí el trabajo mirando los anuncios' (I got the job by looking at the ads). For beginners, it's best to stick with 'estar + mirando' to describe what's happening now.