Print this PostThis Sunday I would like to tell you about another useful Spanish expression: mira a ver. In a nutshell, this expression equates to something like “look and see” in English. Let’s look at a sample dialogue:
Spanish husband: Cariño, ¿lo tienes todo? No quiero tener que volver a casa a por algún artículo olvidado como la última vez. (Honey, do you have everything? I don’t want to have to come back home looking for some forgotten item like the last time.)
Spanish wife: Sí, creo que sí… pero, ¿dónde tengo el móvil? (Yeah, I think so… but, where’s my cell phone?)
Spanish husband: Pues no sé, ¿no lo habías metido en tu bolso? Mira a ver…. (I don’t know, didn’t you put it in your purse? Look and see….)
Spanish wife: Sí, tienes razón, aquí está. (Yeah, you’re right, here it is.)
And that, my friends, is an explanation of this little “frase hecha.” If you’ve enjoyed this post, you may wish to check out prior Spanish Sunday posts or the Learn Spanish category. Don’t forget to keep checking back for more Spanish tidbits each week!
Hasta luego,
–Chris
http://abroadinspain.com
Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for a month and this is the first time I comment in your blog.
I’m from Spain, and I do like the Learn Spanish posts, since I’d never realize of these kind of stuff without being helped from the “outside”.
Sorry for my possible mistakes.
PD: Cell phone is American English, isn’t it?
@Sergio – Thanks for your comment and I’m glad you like my blog. To answer your question, “cell phone” is American English… most people from Britan will call a “movil” a “mobile.” Thanks again for the comment!
Hey there,I got a question.Can i use ” mira e ver” exactly like “look and see” or does it have any other meaning,too?Your blog helps me a lot,thanks for that!
@Sampere – As far as I know, “mira a ver” can be used exactly like “look and see.” If anyone else can think of another meaning, post it here. Look and see is the most common meaning I can think of.
I would translate it as “go check” or “go ahead and check”… to me it means “check to see”, more or less, rather than “look and see”. But since it’s an expresion maybe it’s a bit open to discussion.
I’m from Madrid, by the way.
@Londoner – Thanks for your input, that is also a good way to translate the phrase. I suppose the exact translation depends a bit on the context the phrase is used it.
I also learned that the Spanish use “A ver…” in the same way that Americans use “Let’s see…”
Your posts are super helpful, I love it. I am going to continue reading your lessons.
I too learned “A ver..” like Michelle, it’s interesting to see the difference in countries.