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How to Say "you look" in Spanish

English → Spanish

miras

MEE-rahs/ˈmiɾas/

verbA1familiar
Use 'miras' when you mean 'you are looking at' something, focusing on the action of directing your gaze.
A stylized child intensely observing a brightly colored butterfly resting on a green leaf using a large magnifying glass.

Examples

¿Qué miras? Parece muy interesante.

What are you looking at? It looks very interesting.

Si miras con atención, verás la solución.

If you look carefully, you will see the solution.

The 'Tú' Form

'Miras' is the verb form you use when addressing one person informally (your friend, a child) about what they are doing right now. It means 'you look' or 'you watch'.

Forgetting the 'Personal A'

Mistake: “Saying: *Tú miras tu hermano* (You look your brother)”

Correction: Say: 'Tú miras a tu hermano.' (You look *at* your brother.) Remember to include the little word 'a' before people or pets when they are the thing you are looking at.

pareces

pah-REH-ses/paˈɾe.ses/

verbA1informal
Use 'pareces' to describe someone's current physical appearance or state, like how they seem to be at this moment.
A high quality storybook illustration showing a young girl observing a young boy who is smiling brightly, indicating she is commenting on his appearance or state.

Examples

Pareces muy feliz hoy. ¿Pasó algo bueno?

You look very happy today. Did something good happen?

Pareces un poco enfermo. Deberías descansar.

You seem a little sick. You should rest.

No pareces convencido con mi idea.

You don't seem convinced by my idea.

Using 'parecer' vs. 'ser/estar'

'Parecer' is used to express an impression or opinion ('You seem nice'). 'Ser' is for permanent identity ('You are a doctor'), and 'Estar' is for temporary state ('You are sick').

Irregular 'Yo' Form

Remember that only the 'yo' form (I) is irregular in the present tense: 'Yo parezco' (I seem), but all other forms, including 'tú pareces,' follow the normal 'er' pattern.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Pareces a tu hermana.”

Correction: Te pareces a tu hermana. (Use the reflexive form 'parecerse a' to mean 'to resemble someone.')

quedas

KAY-dahss/ˈkeðas/

verbB1
Use 'quedas' to describe how something will look on a person, focusing on the resulting appearance after wearing or using it.
A cheerful cartoon character modeling a bright yellow jacket that fits perfectly, emphasizing how good the clothing looks on them.

Examples

¿Cómo quedas si te pones ese sombrero?

How do you look if you put on that hat?

Si te pruebas la talla pequeña, ¿cómo te queda?

If you try on the small size, how does it fit you?

Indirect Use for Clothing

When talking about clothes, 'quedar' often works like 'gustar'. The thing (e.g., the shirt) is the subject, and the person is the indirect object: 'La camisa te queda bien' (The shirt fits you well).

Action vs. Appearance

The most common mistake is confusing 'miras' (the action of looking) with 'pareces' (your current appearance). Remember, if you're talking about *what* someone is looking at, use 'miras'. If you're describing *how* they look, use 'pareces'.

Related Translations

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