Confusing English Words Challenge 31
Algunas palabras en inglés pueden crear confusion en los principiantes.
Some words in English can be confusing for learners.
This one is to practice the following 4 words: - look - see - watch - observe
Both native Spanish and English speakers may answer - but write both Spanish and English sentences.
I would appreciate some help in checking the Spanish sentences.
Agradecería una cierta ayuda en la comprobación de las oraciones españolas.
I will "accept" the best effort after about a week
Every attempt will get a vote.
NOTE - we would normally need 2 sentences, one in each language, to illustrate how the the following are used.
a) Look
b) See
c) Watch
d) Observe
Futher explanation as to the different meanings may be given.
Please do not suggest new words - but pictures are welcome.
Well Done everyone - there are many ways of using these words in English.
A new challenge will be posted soon. Here it is number 32
9 Answers
If you watch closely, you will see the bird I am looking at. Observe how she builds her nest.
Si observas con atención, verás el pájaro que estoy viendo. Observa cómo se construye su nido.
Hmmm. The difference can be tough to explain in English! Here are some attempts at examples:
Look at the people with the flowers - Mira a los gentes con las flores
Do you see the car? - ¿Ves el coche?
Do you want to watch the movie with me? - ¿Quieres mirar la pelicula conmigo?
The doctor will observe her overnight. - El medico le observaré por el noche.
¿Qué piense?
-Mateo
Look at the sea! It is beautiful! Mira el mar! Es precioso!
Can you see it? Puedes verlo?
I like to watch television Me gusta ver la televisión
He observed her through the window Le observó por la ventana
I looked at him while he was watching a movie, I could see how relaxed he was. It's good to observe human behavior.
Lo miré mientras él veía una película, yo podía ver como relajado estaba . Es bueno observar la conducta humano.
Look can you see the rainbow? Can you see the different colours there are? If you watch carefully you might see the leprechaun hide his pot of gold. I have observed rainbows for may years but I haven't seen a leprechaun yet.
¿Mirar, ves el arco iris? ¿Ves los colores diferentes? Si miras cuidadosamente puedes mirar el duende su oro oculta. Observé los arcos iris para muchos años pero no ví un duende todavía.
Mira de cerca cómo diligentemente el lagarto observa al escarabajo. En un abrir y cerrar de un ojo lo verás desaparecer.
Look closely how diligently the lizard observes the beetle. In the blink of an eye you will see it disappear.
Look / mirar / Parecer
She looked out of the window/down at the floor. / Miró por la ventana/al suelo.
Look where you’re going! / ¡Mira por dónde vas!
Look who’s here! / ¡Mira quién ha venido!
You look tired. / Pareces cansada.
If they find out, I shall look a fool. / Si se enteran, voy a parecer un idiota.
That photograph doesn’t look like her at all. / En esa foto no se parece a ella en absoluto.
It looks like rain. - It looks as if it’s going to rain. / Parece que va a llover.
be looking to do sth / estar tratando de hacer algo
(be unable) to look sb in the eye(s)/face / (no poder) mirarle a algn a los ojos/la cara
look its/your best / tener el mejor aspecto possible
I want to look my best tonight. / Quiero estar lo más guapo posible esta noche.
look after sth / encargarse de algo
look ahead / pensar en el futuro
See / ver
I saw a programme on TV about that. / Vi un programa en la tele sobre eso.
to go to see a film / ir a ver una película
She’ll never see again. / No volverá a ver nunca.
Go and see if the postman’s been. / Ve a ver si ha pasado el cartero.
Let’s see. / Vamos a ver.
SpanishDict has seen many changes. / SpanishDict ha visto muchos cambios.
I can’t see her changing her mind. / No creo que cambie de opinión.
He saw her to the door. / La acompañó hasta la puerta.
I’ll see that it’s done. / Ya me encargaré de que se haga.
see for yourself / ver por uno mismo
watch / mirar / vigilat
watch / reloj (de pulsera o de bolsillo)
watch strap / correa de reloj
to keep (a close) watch over sth / vigilar (atentamente) algo
be on the watch (for sb/sth) / estar alerta (a algn/algo)
keep watch (over sb/sth) / vigilar (a algn), velar (por algn/algo)
on watch / de guardia
observar, mirar
to watch sb do(ing) sth / mirar/observar a algn hacer algo
They’re always watching TV. / Siempre están viendo la tele.
Watch your language. / No digas palabrotas.
to watch every penny / vigilar cada centavo
watch it! (coloquial) / ¡cuidado!, ¡ojo!
watch the time / estar pendiente de la hora
watch this space (coloquial) / los mantendremos informados
observe / observer
The police observed the man entering/enter the bank. / La policía observó al hombre que entraba en el banco.
to observe the law / observar la ley
observador, -ora / persona que mira
My attempt:
| look, see | I looked into the kitchen to see what was cooking. | Miré dentro de la cocina para ver que estaba cocinando. |
| watch | I watched over her shoulder while the meat continued to cook. | Vigilé por su hombro mientras la carne continuaba para cocinar. |
| observe | ¨Oh, no! There are no onions with the meat¨, observed bandit51jd. | ¨¡Vaya! No hay las cebollas con la carne, ¨ observé a bandit51jd. |
"To see" is "to perceive with one's eyes".
"To look" is "to direct one's eyes (towards something)".
Generally we ¨watch¨ something that is moving or that requires our attention.
to observe -
-- 1. Notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant.
-- 2. Watch (someone or something) carefully and attentively
Click on this link for 10 practice questions on see, look, and watch.
Is that your lot? - No more for any more? - Everybody done? 
