What's the difference between "ver" and '' mirar"? Which one is used more common?

Question

Is mirar used when it means looking at(paying attention to), and ver just simply means see. I looked up some dictionaries and found out they both have the meaning of " looking at". I'm a bit confused. Are there any differences between "ver" and "mirrar"? Which one is more formal and which one is more commonly used?

thks

Answer 1

"Ver" is a very complex term in Spanish. As proof I can say that a very important portion of the Spanish community around the world missuses it or just completely ignores its existence. Let's try to bring some light here in the most simple way possible. In RAE dictionary, "ver" has 25 meanings plus 27 extra examples. What I recommend is to try to illustrate its basic meaning and usage by directly comparing it with "mirar". I think that would be enough. Most basically, "ver" implies realizing and perceiving. Also, comprehension, understanding and consideration. "Tú ves" (you see) when you recognize something after examination. On the other hand, "mirar" (watch or look -depending on the context) is focused on the physical action, the exterior exercise of paying attention. One didactic way to see hat is:

"Mirar" could be the action and "ver" could be the result, when you actually see, comprehend, understand and realize.

Below is the GOOD answer given by ignacioperezg on Jul 3 2013:

""I found a very complete article about the issue. Link About Spanish Ver is the mere act of seeing. Mirar is the deliberate looking. Here I add some extra collocations:

¿Ves por qué no debes manejar a exceso de velocidad? ¿Ya vieron el error? Mira atentamente hacia la pizarra. Yo no le veo un fin a esto. (with no end in sight) ¡Mírame a los ojos! No veo por qué la gente se amarga por cosas tan pequeñas. Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente. ¿Ves? Te lo dije. Mira hacia el cielo y dime qué ves. ¿Puedes ver algo?¿O está muy oscuro?""

Now, some further collocations:

• Mira bien ese objeto y verás su belleza.

• Tú miras pero no ves porque no prestas atención.

• Roberto mira por su familia muy bien. El ve claramente la importancia de ser un padre responsable.

• Ricardo no puede ver, es ciego de nacimiento. Aunque mire todo el día el horizonte nunca sabrá realmente lo que es.

• Te he mirado trabajar por seis meses. Hasta ahora no había visto lo realmente interesado y motivado que estás con ese proyecto.

• El ignorante lo mira todo sin ver realmente nada. El sabio ve al mirar.

• He pasado por este parque durante años y siempre miraba la estatua y los bancos, pero nunca había visto esas flores junto a aquel árbol.

• Ella solo se mira el ombligo, no ve más allá de su propia nariz.

Anyway, all the examples above could be useful for us to begin to grasp the differences between "ver" and "mirar". Anyway, please note that in many other cases both words are interchangeable, or in some context the difference between them is microscopic. Only talented writers, avid readers, scholars and very experienced teachers could show an extensive good use of both terms all the time. So, go for it and learn step by step, always having fun in the process. Finally, some native Spanish speakers, as a characteristic of their local norm of the language, do not have the habit to recognize the differences between both terms, and use only "mirar" for all cases.

I hope this helps.

Thank you! - rac1, Apr 28, 2017

Answer 2

Mirar is to look at. You can look at somebody or something and not "see" it, him or her. You can look but you are not aware of itsL/his/her existence.

When you see you are aware of it.

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The same happens in Spanish. Mirar is to look at. Ver is to see.

Answer 3

My dictionary gives the following examples.

Hace mucho que no la veo. / I haven’t seen her for a long time.

No te había visto. / I hadn’t seen you.

¿Has visto esa película? / Have you seen that film?

¿Lo ves?, ya te has vuelto a caer. / You see? You’ve fallen down again.

¿Por qué me miras así? / Why are you looking at me like that?

Estaban mirando cómo jugaban los niños. / They were watching the children play.

NOTA En inglés existen varias maneras de decir mirar. Las formas más frecuentes son look at y, en el sentido de observar, watch.

BUT

I am watching TV. / Estoy viendo la televisión. (not mirando)

Thanks Ian. :) - rac1, Apr 28, 2017

Good asnwer. I love it. Thanks for sharing. - Raff75, Apr 28, 2017

Answer 4

I am in agreement with all of the above. However I have noticed that virtually all of my Mexican students use "ver" as in "Mario está viendo la tele ahora." Voy a ver una película mañana." This use of "ver" makes it synonymous with "mirar" in these instances. As a Spaniard, I found this usage a little strange, but am used to it now.

Answer 5

Here's a question answered in 2013 with link. Difference between Ver and Mirar

Great work posting that link. Thank you. - rac1, Apr 28, 2017