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"Mirar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look at", and "tomar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take". Learn more about the difference between "mirar" and "tomar" 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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tomar(
toh
-
mahr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to take
Tomó el dinero y se lo metió en el bolsillo.He took the money and put it in his pocket.
a. to take (medication)
Él tiene que tomar sus medicamentos dos veces al día.He has to take his medication twice a day.
b. to have
Tomé atún para el almuerzo.I had tuna fish for lunch.
a. to take
Tuve que tomar el tren para ir a trabajar.I had to take the train to go to work.
a. to take
El enemigo tomó la ciudad en un día.The enemy took the city in a day.
a. to get
Sal y toma un poco de aire fresco.Go out and get some fresh air.
Deja de jugar tantos videojuegos y sal a tomar el sol.Stop playing so many video games and go out and get some sun.
a. to drink
Tienes que tomar mucha agua en estos días tan calurosos.You have to drink a lot of water on such hot days.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to drink
¿Ustedes desean algo para tomar?Would you like anything to drink?
8. (to consume alcohol)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to drink
¿Quieres una copa de vino? - Gracias, pero no tomo.Would you like a glass of wine? - Thanks, but I don't drink.
tomarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to take
Necesito tomarme un respiro del trabajo.I need to take a break from work.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
No te lo tomes a pecho, pero no me gusta tu corte de pelo.Don't take it to heart, but I don't like your haircut.
¿Cómo se lo tomó?How did he take it?
a. to have
Voy a tomarme un mojito.I'm going to have a mojito.
a. to drink
Aún se toma demasiado.He still drinks too much.
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