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"Mira" is a form of "mira", a noun which is often translated as "sight". "Lo que pasa es que" is a phrase which is often translated as "the thing is". Learn more about the difference between "mira" and "lo que pasa es que" below.
la mira(
mee
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (optical)
a. sight
El cazador tenía la mira del rifle fijada en un ciervo.The hunter fixed the rifle's sight on a deer.
2. (purpose)
a. aim
Se mudó a la gran ciudad con la mira de hacerse estrella.She moved to the big city with the aim of becoming a star.
b. intention
Vamos a tener una reunión con la otra empresa con la mira de finalizar la fusión.We're going to have a meeting with the other company with the intention of finalizing the merger.
lo que pasa es que(
loh
keh
pah
-
sah
ehs
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. the thing is
No es que me dé asco limpiar el baño; lo que pasa es que soy alérgico a la lejía.It's not that cleaning the bathroom makes me feel sick; the thing is I'm allergic to bleach.
b. it's just that
No jugamos tan mal. Lo que pasa es que estábamos cansados del partido de la noche anterior.We didn't play so badly. It's just that we were tired from last night's game.
c. the problem is
Iría contigo. Lo que pasa es que no sé montar en bici.I'd go with you. The problem is I can't ride a bike.
d. well, you see
Lo que pasa es que nunca he saltado en paracaídas. - No te preocupes. Nosotros te ayudamos.Well, you see I've never parachuted before. - Don't worry. We'll help you.
e. only
Me encantaría hacer un papel pequeño en tu película, lo que pasa es que soy un poco tímida, ¿sabes?I'd love to play a bit part in your movie, only I'm a bit shy, you know.
f. the fact is that
"La gente piensa que estamos en esto por el dinero, y lo que pasa es que no es cierto. Yo ganaría más en el sector privado," dijo la senadora."People think we're in this just for the money. But the fact is that's not true. I'd be making more money in the private sector," the senator said.
