contemplar

to gaze at

to consider

contemplar(kohn-tehm-plahr)

transitive verb

1. (to observe)

a. to gaze at

Fuimos al monte para contemplar las estrellas.

We went to the mountains to gaze at the stars.

b. to contemplate

Se pasaba horas contemplando la vista.

She would spend hours contemplating the view.

c. to study

Marta contempló la cara de su amiga e intentó interpretar su expresión.

Marta studied her friend's face and tried to interpret her expression.

d.

no direct translation

Desde la casa de Eduardo se contempla un paisaje precioso.

There is a wonderful view from Eduardo's house.

Desde lo alto del rascacielos se contempla toda la ciudad.

You can see the whole city from the top of the skyscraper.

2. (to examine)

a. to consider

La empresa contempló la posibilidad de salir a bolsa.

The company considered the possibility of going public.

b. to contemplate

A veces, es necesario contemplar las cosas importantes de la vida.

Sometimes, we need to contemplate the important things in life.

c. to look at

Debemos contemplar su obra desde su contexto histórico.

We must look at his work in its historical context.

3. (to allow for)

a. to make provision for

Esta nueva ley contempla el traslado de más poderes a cuerpos supranacionales.

This new law makes provision for the transfer of more powers to supranational bodies.

b. to provide for

El proyecto de ley contempla la creación de un servicio nacional de salud.

The bill provides for the creation of a national health service.

c. to envisage

El plan contempla reducir los gastos en un 25%.

The plan envisages cutting spending by 25%.

4. (to pamper)

(Spain)

a. to indulge

No deberías contemplarlo tanto cuando se porta mal.

You shouldn't indulge him so much when he misbehaves.

b. to spoil

Contemplas demasiado al gato.

You're spoiling that cat.

intransitive verb

5. (religion)

a. to meditate

Es un ermitaño que se pasa el día contemplando.

He's a hermit who spends his days meditating.

contemplar

transitive verb

1. (opción, posibilidad)

a. to contemplate, to consider

está contemplando presentar la dimisiónshe is considering handing in her resignation

la ley contempla varios supuestosthe law provides for o covers various cases

esta propuesta no contempla los ingresos por publicidadthis proposal doesn't take into account income from advertising

2. (paisaje, monumento)

a. to look at, to contemplate

Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited

contemplar

transitive verb

1 (observar) [+paisaje, edificio, cuadro] to gaze at; contemplate

se pasa horas contemplando el mar she spends hours gazing at o contemplating the sea; contemplaba su imagen en el espejo she gazed at o contemplated her reflection in the mirror; contemplaba a Juan en silencio she gazed at Juan in silence; desde aquí se contempla el valle entero from here you can see the whole valley

desde aquí pueden contemplar la catedral

desde aquí se contempla una vista espectacular there is a spectacular view from here; la exposición podrá contemplarse aquí en octubre the exhibition can be seen here in October; pude contemplar la belleza de Elena I was able to look on Elena's beauty

2 (analizar)

debemos contemplar su obra desde otra perspectiva we must look at o consider his work from another perspective

3 (mimar) to indulge

no contemples tanto a tus hijos don't indulge your children so much

4 (considerar) [+idea, posibilidad] to consider

están contemplando la posibilidad de mudarse la compañía contempla un recorte anual de gastos

5 [+ley, tratado] to provide for

el acuerdo contempla una subida del 3% the agreement provides for an increase of 3%

Este acuerdo contempla un incremento salarial del 11,75%

la ley contempla los casos siguientes the law provides for the following cases

intransitive verb

(Religión) to meditate

se pasa horas contemplando