Inklingo

How to Say "to admire" in Spanish

English → Spanish

admirar

ad-mee-rahraðmiˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'admirar' when you want to express looking at something or someone with wonder, pleasure, or appreciation, often for its beauty or impressiveness.
A child looking up at a beautiful, glowing butterfly with wide eyes and a smile.

Examples

Me encanta admirar las estrellas en una noche despejada.

I love to admire the stars on a clear night.

Me gusta admirar el paisaje desde la montaña.

I like to admire the landscape from the mountain.

Pasamos horas admirando las pinturas en el museo.

We spent hours gazing at the paintings in the museum.

Es imposible no admirar la arquitectura de esta ciudad.

It is impossible not to admire the architecture of this city.

The 'Personal A'

When you admire a specific person or group of people, you must put the word 'a' before them (e.g., 'Admiro a mi madre').

Regular Pattern

This verb is perfectly regular, meaning it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar.

Missing the 'A'

Mistake: “Admiro mi profesor.”

Correction: Admiro a mi profesor. (Because you are admiring a specific person, you need that extra 'a').

respetar

reh-speh-TARrespeˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Choose 'respetar' when you mean to hold someone or something in high esteem, showing deference and acknowledging their worth or authority.
A young child listening attentively and respectfully to an elderly woman speaking while sitting on a park bench.

Examples

Es importante respetar las opiniones de los demás, aunque no las compartas.

It is important to respect the opinions of others, even if you do not share them.

Debes respetar a tus mayores, siempre tienen algo que enseñar.

You should respect your elders; they always have something to teach.

Ella respeta mucho la opinión de su padre.

She greatly respects her father's opinion.

Los niños aprenden a respetar el medio ambiente en la escuela.

Children learn to respect the environment in school.

Direct Object Use

In Spanish, the verb 'respetar' almost always takes a direct object (the person or thing being respected). If the object is a person, use the 'personal a': 'Respeto a mi jefe' (I respect my boss).

Confusing 'Respetar' and 'Mirar'

Mistake: “No debes mirar a los ancianos.”

Correction: No debes faltar el respeto a los ancianos. ('Mirar' means 'to look at'; 'respetar' is about showing regard.)

Admirar vs. Respetar

Learners often confuse 'admirar' and 'respetar' because both imply a positive feeling. Remember that 'admirar' is about appreciating beauty or impressiveness, while 'respetar' is about esteem and deference.

Related Translations

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