vigilar

to watch

to guard

vigilar(bee-hee-lahr)

transitive verb

1. (to monitor)

a. to watch

¿Puedes vigilar a los niños mientras me doy una ducha rápida?

Can you watch the kids while I take a quick shower?

b. to guard

Hay soldados vigilando la entrada de la base naval.

There are soldiers guarding the entrance of the naval station.

c. to supervise

El profesor de química vigiló a los alumnos durante el experimento para garantizar su seguridad.

The chemistry teacher supervised the students during the experiment to ensure their safety.

d. to keep an eye on

Vigila el guiso mientras voy corriendo a la tienda para que no se queme.

Keep an eye on the stew while I run to the store to ensure that it doesn't burn.

e. to patrol

Como resultado de la crisis de los refugiados, el presidente ha convocado al ejército para vigilar la frontera.

As a result of the refugee crisis, the president has called in the army to patrol the border.

intransitive verb

2. (to look out for)

a. to keep watch

Vigila desde la ventana y avísame cuando venga mamá para hacer que estoy estudiando.

Keep watch from the window, and warn me when Mom comes so that I can pretend I'm studying.

vigilar

transitive verb

1. (preso, banco)

a. to guard

2. (niño, bolso)

a. to keep an eye on

3. (enfermo)

a. to watch over

4. (proceso)

a. to oversee

vigila que nadie toque estomake sure no-one touches this

me vigilan desde hace díasthey've been watching me for days

intransitive verb

5. (general)

a. to keep watch

vigilar por algoto (keep a) watch over something

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vigilar

transitive verb

1 [+niño, enfermo, equipaje, máquina] to keep an eye on; watch

vigila a los niños para que no se hagan daño keep an eye on o watch the children to see they don't get hurt; vigila el arroz para que no se pegue keep an eye on the rice to make sure it doesn't stick

2 [+trabajo] to supervise

3 [+presos] to guard; [+frontera] to guard; police

vigilaban de cerca al sospechoso they kept a close watch on the suspect

intransitive verb

to keep watch

tú vigila fuera mientras yo me escondo you keep a lookout o keep watch outside while I hide; vigilar por algo to watch over sth; su misión es vigilar por la seguridad del Estado his task is to watch over national security