Inklingo

How to Say "i see" in Spanish

English → Spanish

veo

/BEH-oh//'be.o/

VerbA1/A2General
Use 'veo' when you are literally perceiving something with your eyes or when you want to express a dawning realization or understanding.
A person looking intently and clearly seeing a colorful bird sitting on a tree branch.

Examples

Ah, ya veo. Necesito comprar el boleto antes de subir.

Oh, I see. I need to buy the ticket before getting on.

Veo un pájaro en el árbol.

I see a bird in the tree.

Abro la ventana y veo las montañas.

I open the window and I see the mountains.

¿Qué ves? No veo nada.

What do you see? I don't see anything.

The 'I' Form of 'Ver'

'Veo' is the special form of the verb 'ver' (to see) that you use when you're talking about yourself ('I'). Even though 'ver' ends in '-er', the 'I' form is 'veo', not 'vo'. It's a little irregular, so it's one to memorize!

Confusing 'Veo' and 'Miro'

Mistake: “Quiero mirar una película esta noche.”

Correction: Quiero ver una película esta noche. Use 'ver' (so the 'I' form is 'veo') for watching shows, movies, or sports. Use 'mirar' for the action of looking at something specific, like 'Miro el reloj' (I'm looking at the clock).

entiendo

/en-tyen-doh//en̪ˈt̪jen̪.d̪o/

VerbA2General
Use 'entiendo' to clearly indicate that you understand what someone means or has explained, similar to 'I get it' or 'I understand'.
A stylized human figure illuminated by a bright yellow light emanating from their head, symbolizing a sudden realization or agreement.

Examples

—La reunión es a las tres, no a las dos. —Ah, entiendo. Gracias.

—The meeting is at three, not two. —Ah, I get it. Thanks.

Vale, ya entiendo por qué estás enojado.

Okay, now I see why you're angry.

Así que primero giro a la derecha y luego a la izquierda... entiendo.

So first I turn right and then left... got it.

ajá

InterjectionA2Informal
Use 'ajá' as an interjection to express a sudden moment of understanding or realization, often a response to an explanation.

Examples

—Tienes que girar la perilla tres veces a la izquierda. —¡Ajá! Ya entendí por qué no abría.

—You have to turn the knob three times to the left. —Aha! Now I understand why it wouldn't open.

Literal Sight vs. Understanding

Learners often mistakenly use 'veo' for all instances of understanding. Remember that while 'veo' can mean 'I understand,' 'entiendo' is more specifically 'I understand/get it,' and 'ajá' is a quick interjection for sudden realization.

Related Translations

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