смотреть vs видеть

smotrét' vs vídet' — to look/watch vs to see

What it really means

"Смотреть" describes directing your eyes at something or watching it — an intentional activity. "Видеть" describes receiving the visual result: something is visible to you, whether or not you tried to look.

That is the same process-versus-perception contrast as English "look/watch" versus "see." Use "смотреть" for films, television, and an object you deliberately watch; use "видеть" for what you notice or can see. The verbs also take different constructions: "смотреть фильм" takes the accusative, while "видеть фильм" can mean seeing the film or having seen it.

Examples in natural speech

Я смотрю фильм.
I am watching a film.
Я уже видел этот фильм.
I have already seen this film.
Смотри на дорогу!
Look at the road!
Я не вижу дорогу в тумане.
I can't see the road in the fog.
Ты смотрел матч вчера?
Did you watch the match yesterday?
Я видел его вчера в метро.
I saw him yesterday on the metro.

Common mistakes

Do not translate every English "see" as "смотреть." "Я смотрю его вчера" is wrong for "I saw him yesterday"; use "Я видел его." Conversely, "смотреть" is needed for an intentional activity: "смотреть фильм" (watch a film), not normally "видеть фильм" unless you mean you have seen it.

Memory tip

"Смотреть" is the effort your eyes make; "видеть" is the picture that reaches them. Watch with смотреть, notice with видеть.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between смотреть and видеть in Russian?

"Смотреть" means to look at or watch intentionally. "Видеть" means to see or perceive visually. "Я смотрю фильм" = I am watching a film; "Я видел этот фильм" = I have seen this film.

How do you say watch a movie in Russian?

Use "смотреть фильм": "Мы смотрим фильм" means "We are watching a movie." "Видеть фильм" means to have seen or encountered the movie, not to be watching it now.

How do you say I can't see in Russian?

Say "Я не вижу" (I cannot see). Use "смотреть" only when the problem is that you are not looking: "Я не смотрю" means "I am not watching/looking."

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