Look
Use this formal version when addressing someone you don't know, an older person, or in a professional context (the 'usted' form).
Use this plural version when telling two or more people to look at something (the 'ustedes' form).
A very common alternative meaning 'Notice!' or 'Check this out!'. It implies paying closer attention.
Literally 'Eye!', this is a very common, informal way to say 'Watch out!' or 'Be careful!'.
Look! A cat on the roof.
Ma'am, look! Your bag.
Friends, look! The food is ready.
Look! The sign says 'closed'.
Watch out! The floor is wet.
¡Mira! (informal, singular), ¡Mire! (formal, singular), and ¡Miren! (plural) are the standards. 'Ustedes' is used for all plural situations.
The 'vos' form is used instead of 'tú'. The command is '¡Mirá!', with the stress on the final 'a'.
The informal plural command is '¡Mirad!', corresponding to 'vosotros'. '¡Miren!' is used only in formal plural situations.
'¡Mira!' and '¡Mire!' are standard. '¡Fíjate!' is extremely common in everyday, informal speech.
Standard forms are used. '¡Ojo!' is very frequently used to mean 'Watch out!' or 'Pay attention'.
¡Ve! — ¡Mira! — Learners often confuse 'ver' (to see) and 'mirar' (to look at). The command 'Look!' comes from 'mirar'. '¡Ve!' is the command form of 'ir' (to go), so it means 'Go!', not 'Look!'.
¡Mira, señor! — ¡Mire, señor! — Using the informal '¡Mira!' with someone you should address formally (like 'señor' or 'doctora') is a common mistake. Always use the formal '¡Mire!' in these situations to show respect.
¡Mira! (to a group) — ¡Miren! (to a group) — When talking to more than one person in Latin American Spanish, you must use the plural form '¡Miren!'. Using the singular '¡Mira!' will only address one person in the group.
Found this useful? Save it for later.