Inklingo

How to Say "sight" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sight” is “vista” — use 'vista' when referring to the general sense of seeing or eyesight, or a view from a particular place..

vista🔊A2

Use 'vista' when referring to the general sense of seeing or eyesight, or a view from a particular place.

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visiónA1

Use 'visión' to specifically refer to the physiological sense of sight or one's ability to see.

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ojo🔊A1

Use 'ojo' when referring to the physical organ of sight, the eye itself.

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espectáculoB1

Use 'espectáculo' to describe a notable, often chaotic or dramatic, event or scene that draws attention.

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perspectiva🔊B2

Use 'perspectiva' when talking about the visual appearance or depth in a drawing or artwork, or a particular outlook.

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fenómenoB1

Use 'fenómeno' for something remarkable or extraordinary that is worth seeing, often a natural event.

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mira🔊B2

Use 'mira' specifically for the sighting mechanism on a firearm.

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English → Spanish

vista

/BEES-tah//ˈbista/

nounA2general
Use 'vista' when referring to the general sense of seeing or eyesight, or a view from a particular place.
A detailed illustration of a human eye clearly focused on a small, brightly colored butterfly flying nearby, symbolizing the sense of sight.

Examples

Mi abuela tiene muy buena vista para su edad.

My grandmother has very good eyesight for her age.

El sentido de la vista es uno de los más importantes.

The sense of sight is one of the most important.

Después de la operación, recuperó la vista por completo.

After the operation, he completely recovered his sight.

Confusing 'vista' and 'visión'

Mistake: “Me gusta la visión desde mi balcón.”

Correction: Me gusta la vista desde mi balcón. Use 'vista' for a physical view. 'Visión' is more for an idea, a dream, or the general concept of sight.

visión

nounA1general
Use 'visión' to specifically refer to the physiological sense of sight or one's ability to see.

Examples

Necesita un examen para comprobar su visión.

She needs an exam to check her sight.

ojo

OH-hoh/ˈoxo/

nounA1general
Use 'ojo' when referring to the physical organ of sight, the eye itself.
A close-up illustration of a single human eye with a brown iris, long eyelashes, and a bright white sclera.

Examples

Tienes un ojo verde y el otro azul. ¡Qué peculiar!

You have one green eye and the other blue. How peculiar!

Me duele el ojo izquierdo después de leer tanto.

My left eye hurts after reading so much.

Masculine Noun

Even though many body parts are feminine (like 'la mano' or 'la cabeza'), 'ojo' is always masculine: 'el ojo' (the eye).

Using the definite article

Mistake: “Me duele mi ojo.”

Correction: Me duele el ojo. (Spanish often uses 'el' or 'la' instead of 'mi' or 'tu' when talking about body parts, especially with verbs like 'doler'.)

espectáculo

nounB1general
Use 'espectáculo' to describe a notable, often chaotic or dramatic, event or scene that draws attention.

Examples

¡No me hables así! No hagas un espectáculo en medio del restaurante.

Don't speak to me like that! Don't make a scene in the middle of the restaurant.

perspectiva

per-spek-TEE-vah/peɾspekˈtiβa/

nounB2general
Use 'perspectiva' when talking about the visual appearance or depth in a drawing or artwork, or a particular outlook.
A simple illustration of a long, straight railroad track running through a sunny field. The tracks and telegraph poles clearly converge toward a single vanishing point on the distant horizon, creating visual depth.

Examples

El dibujo carece de perspectiva; parece plano.

The drawing lacks perspective; it looks flat.

La perspectiva de la calle desde la colina es impresionante.

The view of the street from the hill is stunning.

Technical Use

When talking about drawing or painting, this word refers to the technique used to make flat objects look three-dimensional (the way parallel lines appear to meet).

fenómeno

nounB1general
Use 'fenómeno' for something remarkable or extraordinary that is worth seeing, often a natural event.

Examples

El fenómeno de El Niño afecta el clima global.

The El Niño phenomenon affects the global climate.

mira

/MEE-rah//ˈmi.ɾa/

nounB2technical
Use 'mira' specifically for the sighting mechanism on a firearm.
The sights on a rifle used for aiming at a distant target.

Examples

El cazador ajustó la mira de su rifle.

The hunter adjusted the sight of his rifle.

Tiene la mira puesta en ganar el campeonato.

He has his sights set on winning the championship.

Always Feminine: 'la mira'

When used as a noun, 'mira' is always a feminine word. You'll always see it with 'la' or 'una', like 'la mira' (the sight) or 'una mira telescópica' (a telescopic sight).

Confusing 'vista' and 'visión'

Learners often confuse 'vista' and 'visión' because both relate to seeing. Remember that 'vista' is more about the general sense of sight or a view, while 'visión' is the specific faculty or ability to see.

Related Translations

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