Inklingo

How to Say "watch!" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mirad

/mee-RAHD//miˈrað/

verbA2informal
Use 'mirad' when commanding an informal group of people you are familiar with, primarily in Spain.
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing three children outdoors. One child is pointing excitedly at a large blue butterfly resting on a yellow flower, while the other two children are turning their heads to look intently at the butterfly.

Examples

¡Mirad, chicos, qué regalo tan chulo me han hecho!

Look, guys, what a cool gift they gave me!

Mirad la pantalla y seguid las instrucciones al pie de la letra.

Look at the screen and follow the instructions exactly.

Si tenéis alguna duda, mirad el mapa que os di.

If you have any doubt, look at the map I gave you.

The Vosotros Command Form

'Mirad' is the affirmative command form for 'vosotros' (informal plural 'you all'), used mainly in Spain. For regular -ar verbs, you simply replace the final 'r' of the infinitive (mirar) with a 'd'.

Using 'mirad' outside of Spain

Mistake: “Using 'mirad' in Mexico or Argentina.”

Correction: In almost all of Latin America, the correct command for a group is '¡Miren!' (the 'ustedes' form). 'Mirad' sounds very Spanish (from Spain).

vea

/BEY-ah//ˈbe.a/

verbA1formal
Use 'vea' when giving a formal instruction or command to a single person you don't know well or to show respect.
A high quality illustration showing an adult figure standing outside at night, pointing their finger decisively upward toward a single large, glowing star, commanding attention.

Examples

Señor López, vea este documento antes de firmar.

Mr. Lopez, see/look at this document before signing.

No vea el televisor tan tarde.

Don't watch the television so late. (Formal command)

Vea la diferencia entre los dos productos.

Look at the difference between the two products.

Formal Commands

'Vea' is the formal way (usted) to tell someone to 'see' or 'look.' It is used for politeness or when speaking to someone you don't know well. The opposite, 'no vea,' is the negative formal command.

Formal vs. Informal

Remember the informal (tú) command is 've,' but the formal command is 'vea.' Use 'vea' when addressing someone as 'usted'.

Using the wrong formality

Mistake: “Señora Pérez, ve esto por favor.”

Correction: Señora Pérez, vea esto por favor. (Using 'vea' respects the formality implied by 'Señora'.)

vigila

vee-HEE-lah/biˈxila/

verbA1command
Use 'vigila' as an affirmative command to a single person ('tú' form) to mean 'guard' or 'keep watch'.
A colorful illustration of a friendly cartoon owl perched on a branch, its large, observant eyes focused intently downward, symbolizing watching.

Examples

El perro vigila la casa de noche.

The dog guards the house at night.

Ella siempre vigila que todo esté en orden antes de irse.

She always checks (monitors) that everything is in order before leaving.

¡Vigila que nadie entre al almacén!

Watch (make sure) that no one enters the warehouse!

Two Uses of 'Vigila'

'Vigila' can be a statement about someone else ('Ella vigila' = She watches) OR a command to a friend ('¡Vigila!' = Watch!). Context tells you which one is being used.

Regular -AR Verb

This verb follows the most common Spanish pattern. If you learn 'vigilar,' you can easily conjugate hundreds of other verbs like 'hablar' (to talk) and 'caminar' (to walk).

Confusing the Command Forms

Mistake: “Using 'vigile' when telling a friend what to do.”

Correction: For friendly, informal commands, use the 'tú' form: '¡Vigila el perro!'. The 'vigile' form is reserved for formal commands (Usted).

Informal vs. Formal 'Watch!'

Learners often confuse 'mirad' and 'vea' because both can be commands. Remember that 'mirad' is for informal groups (like friends), while 'vea' is for formal, singular instructions (like to a boss or stranger).

Related Translations

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