Inklingo

How to Say "glance" in Spanish

English → Spanish

vistazo

/bees-TAH-soh//bisˈtaso/

nounA2general
Use 'vistazo' when referring to a quick, often superficial, examination of something, like checking a document or a report.
A close-up illustration of a large, stylized eye quickly shifting its gaze sharply to the right, representing a rapid look or glance.

Examples

Le di un vistazo rápido al documento antes de la reunión.

I gave the document a quick glance before the meeting.

¿Puedes echar un vistazo a mi coche? Hace un ruido raro.

Can you take a look at my car? It's making a weird noise.

Con un solo vistazo, supo que algo andaba mal.

With just one glance, she knew something was wrong.

The '-azo' Ending

'Vistazo' comes from 'vista' (view/sight). The ending '-azo' in Spanish often suggests a quick, sharp action or a hit. So, a 'vistazo' is like a 'quick hit' with your eyes.

It's a Noun, Not a Verb

Mistake: “Don't say: 'Yo vistazo el libro.' (I glance the book.)”

Correction: Say: 'Yo le echo un vistazo al libro.' (Literally: I throw a glance at the book.) 'Vistazo' is a thing (a noun), not an action (a verb). You need a verb like 'echar' (to throw) or 'dar' (to give) to perform the action.

mirada

/mee-RAH-dah//miˈɾaða/

nounA1general
Use 'mirada' for a brief, quick look that is more about the act of looking itself, often implying curiosity or a fleeting observation.
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.

Examples

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.

Always Feminine

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

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.'

Vistazo vs. Mirada

Learners often confuse 'vistazo' and 'mirada' because both describe a quick look. Remember that 'vistazo' implies inspecting or checking something briefly, while 'mirada' focuses more on the simple act of looking.

Related Translations

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