Types of Looking
English has many verbs to describe the act of seeing and looking. They often lose their subtlety when translated.
-See - to view with the eyes. Can you see the writing?- ¿Ves la letra? Did you see the film?- ¿Viste la película? (use watch in certain tenses-I like watching seeing films ) |
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-Look at - turn one's eyes toward something. The girl is looking at the painting- La niña está mirando el cuadro |
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-Watch- observe with eyes, over time (something that is happening). The kid is watching TV- La niña está viendo la televisión She is watching the bird- Está observando el pájaro |
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-Stare at- look at intently or fixedly, often with eyes wide open ( usually with surpirse, alarm). The boy was staring at me- El niño me estaba mirando fijamente |
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-Gaze at- look at intenly (with curiosity or wonder). She gazed up at the clouds- Miró hacia arriba contemplando las nubes |
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-Peer at- to look at searchingly or with difficulty. They are peering through the window- Están mirando con dificultad por la ventana |
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-Peep at- to look at furtively (often through a hole or crack). He peeped through the hole in the wall- Miró furtivamente por el agujero en la pared |
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- Peek (in/out)- to look at quickly and curiously (often furtively) or to protrude slightly from The rabbits peeked out from inside the box - Los conejos se asomaron por la caja |
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-Glance at- to look at briefly (intended). | |
-Glimpse- to see briefly (intended or not). |