Viendo vs. Mirando

Question

Viendo and Mirando both mean watching..... what is the difference between them? How do you know when to use which one? Thanks a lot!

-Leah

Answer 1

Unforunately (or fortunately, if you enjoy the differences between languages), it is not so simple as mirar being equal to "to watch" and ver to "to see." Ver is sometimes used when watch would be used, as in "Le gusta ver la tele." Plus, we have "to look (at)" in English, which is translated by both verbs in different contexts. Furthermore, both mirar and ver are sometimes used together, as in "Miró a ver si estaba dormido" (She checked to see if he was asleep). As you see, mirar can mean "to check," as in "Mira bien que esté dormido" (Make sure he's asleep).

The best thing to do is look up these verbs in a comprehensive dictionary with lots of example sentences.

Answer 2

Ver y mirar.

Con estos dos verbos pasa lo mismo que con oir y escuchar. Uno puede mirar un paisaje pero puede no verlo porque tiene problemas de visión. Así mismo, uno puede estar escuchando un concierto pero puede no oirlo porque tiene problemas de audición. Básicamente, oir es percibir sonidos y escuchar es prestar atención.

Nice analogy. - 0074b507, Jul 19, 2010

Answer 3

Viendo and Mirando both mean watching..... what is the difference between them? How do you know when to use which one? Thanks a lot!

-Leah

First of all, what a beutiful name. Don´t worry, I am not trying to hit on you. It´s also the name of my daughter, hehe. Second, just look at Nathaniel´s post and use both verbs as we would in English. If you want to say you were "looking" at your garden, you wouldn´t use "Ver". Likewise, if you wanted to say did you "see" that accident, you wouldn´t use "Mirar". If you still have any confusion can you post some context, ie an example.

sp. beautiful :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jul 19, 2010

Answer 4

Viendo and Mirando both mean watching..... what is the difference between them? How do you know when to use which one? Thanks a lot!

-Leah

I think they are interchangeble, depending on the context. Here is a few examples with the context.

Soy caliente, ya lo sé, quedate viendo
I am hot I know it, keep looking

Que te parece si miramos una película después?
how about we watch a movie?

Mirandome a los ojos y díme la verdad
looking into my eyes and tell me the truth

"Interchangeable" is the correct spelling. Also, when you're speaking of multiple examples use "are", not "is". (I.e., Here are a few examples of...) Finally, all three examples in English require corrections in both grammar and punctuation. - LiveUnsheathed, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 5

delete :(

Answer 6

"I am watching the news"

so would that be?

Estoy viendo las noticias.

OR

Estoy mirando las noticias.

Answer 7

Soy caliente, ya lo sé, quedate viendo

I am hot I know it, keep looking

Soy caliente = I am defined as a hot person

Estoy caliente = I am horny (at least, in Spain)

Tengo calor = I am hot

"Ver" and "mirar" are different verbs, and quite often, they are not interchangeable, although there are cases where it can be done.
Muchas gracias Lazarus, as a beginner Spanish speaker, I almost tempted to say "Estoy caliente", that would be embarassing haha, thanks for clarifying it.

Answer 8

Soy caliente, ya lo sé, quedate viendo

I am hot I know it, keep looking

Soy caliente = I am defined as a hot person
Estoy caliente = I am horny (at least, in Spain)
Tengo calor = I am hot

"Ver" and "mirar" are different verbs, and quite often, they are not interchangeable, although there are cases where it can be done.

Answer 9

El verbo "ver" no se intercambia por "mirar" en casos como éstos:

to be good/bad looking = estar de buen o mal ver
we met on Saturday = nos vimos en/el sábado.
we'll see if he comes = ya veremos si él viene.
I can see what you mean = ya veo lo que quieres decir.
can't you see that he's lying? = ¿no ves que te está mintiendo'

Answer 10

Ver is to see

Mirar is to look at or watch.