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vigilar

vee-hee-LAHRbi.xiˈlaɾ

to guard, to watch over

Also: to keep watch
VerbA2regular ar
A strong, friendly bear wearing a small security uniform standing firmly next to a closed wooden treasure chest, acting as a guard.
infinitivevigilar
gerundvigilando
past Participlevigilado

📝 In Action

El guardia tiene que vigilar la entrada toda la noche.

A2

The guard has to watch (guard) the entrance all night.

Por favor, vigila mi bolso mientras voy al baño.

A2

Please, watch over my bag while I go to the bathroom.

Los padres vigilan a sus hijos mientras juegan.

A2

The parents watch over their children while they play.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vigilar la casa – to watch the house
  • vigilar de cerca – to watch closely

to monitor, to supervise

Also: to oversee
VerbB1regular ar
A wise owl sitting on a wooden perch, carefully observing a row of four small, interconnected, spinning gears below it, symbolizing monitoring a process.

📝 In Action

La agencia está vigilando de cerca la calidad del agua.

B1

The agency is closely monitoring the water quality.

El director tiene que vigilar que todos los empleados cumplan las normas.

B2

The director has to supervise that all employees follow the rules.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vigilar los datos – to monitor the data

to watch, to be careful with

Also: to keep an eye on
VerbB2regular ar
A cheerful rabbit standing next to a wicker basket overflowing with colorful vegetables, carefully examining a large carrot, illustrating watching one's diet.

📝 In Action

Debo vigilar mi consumo de azúcar si quiero estar sano.

B2

I must watch (monitor) my sugar consumption if I want to be healthy.

El doctor nos pidió vigilar la temperatura del bebé.

B2

The doctor asked us to watch (monitor) the baby's temperature.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vigilar la dieta – to watch one's diet

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedvigila
yovigilo
túvigilas
ellos/ellas/ustedesvigilan
nosotrosvigilamos
vosotrosvigiláis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedvigilaba
yovigilaba
túvigilabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesvigilaban
nosotrosvigilábamos
vosotrosvigilabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedvigiló
yovigilé
túvigilaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesvigilaron
nosotrosvigilamos
vosotrosvigilasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedvigile
yovigile
túvigiles
ellos/ellas/ustedesvigilen
nosotrosvigilemos
vosotrosvigiléis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedvigilara/vigilase
yovigilara/vigilase
túvigilaras/vigilases
ellos/ellas/ustedesvigilaran/vigilasen
nosotrosvigiláramos/vigilásemos
vosotrosvigilarais/vigilaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vigilar" in Spanish:

to guard→to monitor→to oversee→to supervise→to watch→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vigilar

Question 1 of 2

Which English verb best captures the meaning of 'vigilar' in the sentence: 'El gobierno debe vigilar los precios de la gasolina'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la vigilancia(vigilance, surveillance) — Noun
el vigilante(guard, watchman) — Noun
vigilado/a(guarded, monitored (past participle used as adjective)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin verb *vigilare*, which meant 'to be awake' or 'to be watchful.' This origin perfectly captures the essence of the word: being mentally alert and ready to act.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: vigilarItalian: vegliareEnglish: vigilant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'vigilar' and 'mirar'?

'Mirar' is simple observation, meaning 'to look at' or 'to watch' (like watching a movie). 'Vigilar' means 'to watch carefully or guard,' implying responsibility, duty, or close attention, often to prevent something bad from happening.

Can I use 'vigilar' to mean 'to spy'?

Yes, 'vigilar' often carries the meaning of 'surveillance' or 'keeping under observation,' especially by authorities, which is very close to 'to spy' or 'to watch secretly'.