Breakdown of Si no miras por donde caminas, puedes salir herido.
tú
you
caminar
to walk
si
if
poder
to be able
no
not
,
comma
salir herido
to get hurt
mirar
to watch
por donde
where
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Questions & Answers about Si no miras por donde caminas, puedes salir herido.
What is the difference between mirar and ver in this sentence, and why is mirar used here?
In Spanish, mirar means to deliberately look at something, to pay attention, whereas ver is more about passively perceiving what is there. In this sentence, using mirar emphasizes that you must actively watch or pay attention to where you’re walking rather than just seeing things without focus.
How is the phrase por donde caminas structured, and what role does the preposition por play in it?
The phrase por donde caminas literally translates to “where you walk” but implies more the route or path you take. The preposition por indicates the area or passage through which you move. It gives the sense of “through” or “along” a path, making the instruction about being watchful of your surroundings more specific.
What does salir herido mean literally, and is its use idiomatic?
Literally, salir herido means “to come out injured.” Idiomatically, it’s used to warn that one might end up getting hurt if they are not careful. This expression is common in Spanish and conveys the idea that a lack of attention can lead to undesirable, possibly painful, consequences.
Why does the sentence use the present indicative (e.g., miras and puedes) in its conditional structure?
Spanish often uses the present indicative in both the condition and the consequence to express general truths or habitual actions. In this sentence, Si no miras por donde caminas, puedes salir herido is a general piece of advice or warning that applies at any time—there isn’t a specific future moment but rather an ongoing risk that accompanies the action of walking without paying attention.
Can this sentence be rephrased using alternative vocabulary while keeping the same meaning?
Yes, it can. For instance, you might say: Si no prestas atención a dónde vas, podrías lastimarte. Here, prestar atención replaces mirar (emphasizing careful attention), a dónde vas serves a similar function as por donde caminas, and podrías lastimarte carries the same warning as puedes salir herido. This alternative maintains the idea of caution to avoid injury.