How to Say "to watch" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to watch” is “ver” — use 'ver' when you are watching something for entertainment, like television shows, movies, or sports events.
Use 'ver' when you are watching something for entertainment, like television shows, movies, or sports events.
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Use 'mirar' for general observation or when directing your attention to something specific for a period.
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Use 'contemplar' when you are observing a scene or situation thoughtfully, often with a sense of admiration or deep consideration.
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Use 'vigilar' when you need to monitor or keep a close eye on something, such as your health, diet, or weight.
Learn more →behrˈbeɾ
Examples
Vamos a ver una película esta noche.
We are going to watch a movie tonight.
¿Viste el partido de fútbol ayer?
Did you watch the soccer game yesterday?
A mis hijos les encanta ver dibujos animados.
My kids love to watch cartoons.
mee-RAHRmiˈɾaɾ
Examples
¡Mira! Hay un gato en el techo.
Look! There's a cat on the roof.
¿Por qué me miras así?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Me gusta sentarme en el parque y mirar a la gente pasar.
I like to sit in the park and watch people go by.
Using 'a' after 'mirar'
When you look at a person or a pet, you need to add the word 'a' right after 'mirar'. For example, 'Miro a mi amigo' (I'm looking at my friend). You don't need 'a' for regular objects: 'Miro la casa' (I'm looking at the house).
Confusing 'Mirar' and 'Ver'
Mistake: “"No te miro en la foto."”
Correction: "No te veo en la foto." (I don't see you in the photo.) 'Mirar' is the action of directing your eyes, while 'ver' is the result of perceiving something with your eyes. If you can't perceive someone, you use 'ver'.
kohn-tehm-PLAHRkontemˈplaɾ
Examples
Nos gusta contemplar el atardecer desde la playa.
We like to gaze at the sunset from the beach.
Él se quedó contemplando el cuadro durante mucho tiempo.
He stayed there looking at the painting for a long time.
Contempla el paisaje y relájate.
Look at the landscape and relax.
No 'at' needed
Unlike English, where you 'look AT' something, in Spanish you just 'contemplar' the object directly. You don't need a tiny joining word like 'a' unless you are looking at a specific person.
Adding extra words
Mistake: “Contemplo a el paisaje.”
Correction: Contemplo el paisaje. Because landscapes aren't people, we don't use the 'personal a' here.
vee-hee-LAHRbi.xiˈlaɾ
Examples
Debo vigilar mi consumo de azúcar si quiero estar sano.
I must watch (monitor) my sugar consumption if I want to be healthy.
El doctor nos pidió vigilar la temperatura del bebé.
The doctor asked us to watch (monitor) the baby's temperature.
Meaning Shift
In this context, 'vigilar' implies active management or effort, not just passive observation. It means 'to proactively manage by watching closely'.
Ver vs. Mirar for Entertainment
The most common confusion is between 'ver' and 'mirar'. Remember that 'ver' is specifically for watching things like TV, movies, or games, while 'mirar' is a more general term for looking at or observing something.
Related Translations
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