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"Mirar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look at", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "mirar" and "a" below.
mirar(
mee
-
rahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to look at
Hay un hombre mirándote.There is a man looking at you.
b. to watch (implies greater attention or time)
¡Deja de mirarme todo el tiempo! No estoy haciendo nada malo.Stop watching me all the time! I'm not doing anything wrong.
a. to be careful about
Mira mucho lo que come.She's very careful about what she eats.
b. to make sure
Mira que tengas todo el dinero en la cartera.Make sure you have all the money in your wallet.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to look
¡Mira! ¡Una estrella fugaz!Look! A shooting star!
El ladrón miró hacia atrás a ver si lo perseguían.The thief looked back to see if he was being followed.
a. to face
Mi habitación mira a la calle.My room faces the street.
mirarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to look at oneself
Narciso se miraba en el agua.Narcissus looked at himself in the water.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
reciprocal verb
a. to look at each other
Los enamorados se miraron y declararon su amor.The lovers looked at each other and declared their love.
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a, la a(
ah
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. to
Ve a tu habitación.Go to your room.
a. to
A la izquierda puedes ver el parque.To your left you can see the park.
a. at
Saldremos al amanecer.We will leave at dawn.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. to
No te olvides de escribir a tus abuelos.Don't forget to write to your grandparents.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
a. to
Vino a saludar.He came to say hello.
a. per
Trabajo ocho horas al día.I work eight hours per day.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. a
Ese adjetivo debe terminar con una a.That adjective should end in an a.
a. A
El pianista tocó una A.The pianist played an A.
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
abbreviation
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
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