Why Mirar Is a Conversation Verb
Mirar means to look, but the command form mira is also one of the most common ways to start a sentence or get someone's attention. Learn the frames and you will hear this verb everywhere.
Pattern 1: Mira + noun — "Look at this"
The literal use: directing someone's eyes. Spanish does not need a preposition after mirar for things.
- Mira esto. — Look at this.
- ¿Qué miras? — What are you looking at?
- Estaba mirando la tele. — I was watching TV.
Chunk to learn:
Mira + [thing]
Pattern 2: Mira, … — "Look, …" / "Listen, …"
Used at the start of a sentence to get attention, introduce an explanation, or soften a disagreement. Mire is the formal form.
- Mira, te lo explico. — Look, let me explain.
- Mira, no sé qué decirte. — Look, I don't know what to tell you.
- Mire, señor, es un error. — Look, sir, it's a mistake.
Chunk to learn:
Mira, + [what you want to say]
Pattern 3: No me mires así — Looking at people
For looking at a person, Spanish adds the personal a when the person is the direct object, or uses the pronoun.
- No me mires así. — Don't look at me like that.
- Me miró a los ojos. — He looked me in the eyes.
- Ella lo miró y sonrió. — She looked at him and smiled.
Chunk to learn:
Me / Te / Lo miró + [a los ojos / así]
Pattern 4: Mirar por la ventana / hacia — Direction
Use por for looking through something and hacia for the direction of the gaze.
- Miraba por la ventana. — She was looking out the window.
- Mira hacia arriba. — Look up.
- Mira a ambos lados antes de cruzar. — Look both ways before crossing.
Chunk to learn:
Mirar por la ventana / hacia + [direction]
Pattern 5: Mirarse — Looking at yourself or each other
The reflexive form covers mirrors and mutual glances.
- Se miró en el espejo. — She looked at herself in the mirror.
- Me miro en el espejo cada mañana. — I look in the mirror every morning.
- Se miraron sin decir nada. — They looked at each other without saying anything.
Chunk to learn:
Mirarse en el espejo / Se miraron
Pattern 6: ¡Mira que…! — Exasperation
A colloquial frame for annoyance or disbelief. It adds emphasis to the complaint that follows.
- ¡Mira que eres terco! — Boy, you're stubborn!
- ¡Mira que llegar tarde otra vez! — Honestly, arriving late again!
- ¡Mira que te lo dije! — Didn't I tell you!
Chunk to learn:
¡Mira que + [complaint]!
Look Before You Speak
From glances to openers to complaints, this verb works hard in daily Spanish. For other talk-related verbs, see [Decir] Chunks and [Hablar] Chunks.
Start with mira,… and no me mires así. You will use both the next time you speak Spanish.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.