Why Mostrar Is the Verb of Showing
Mostrar is the verb of showing: objects, feelings, documents, results. It changes its stem (muestro, muestras, muestra, mostramos, muestran) and it sounds a little more formal than enseñar, which is the everyday word in Spain.
Learn the six chunks below and you can show things, describe feelings and report what data say.
Pattern 1: Mostrar algo a alguien — "To show something to someone"
The basic meaning. The person who sees it is me, te, le, and muéstrame is the polite request. For seeing, see [Ver] Chunks.
- Muéstrame las fotos del viaje. — Show me the photos from the trip.
- Me mostró su casa nueva. — He showed me his new house.
- Le mostré el camino. — I showed her the way.
Chunk to learn:
Mostrar + [algo] + a + [persona] / Muéstrame…
Pattern 2: Mostrar interés — "To show interest"
Mostrar also works for feelings and attitudes: interest, respect, emotion, fear. It is the verb of visible reactions. For feelings, see [Sentir] Chunks.
- Mostró mucho interés en el trabajo. — He showed a lot of interest in the job.
- Siempre muestra respeto a los mayores. — She always shows respect for her elders.
- No mostró ninguna emoción. — He showed no emotion.
Chunk to learn:
Mostrar + [interés / respeto / emoción]
Pattern 3: Mostrarse + adjective — "To come across as…"
With se plus an adjective, it describes how someone appears or reacts. It is common in news and formal writing. For helping, see [Ayudar] Chunks.
- Se mostró muy amable con nosotros. — He came across as very friendly with us.
- Se mostró dispuesto a ayudar. — He appeared willing to help.
- El jefe se mostró contrario al plan. — The boss came out against the plan.
Chunk to learn:
Mostrarse + [amable / dispuesto a / contrario a]
Pattern 4: Mostrar su verdadera cara — "To show your true colors"
Spanish says you show your true face. Use it when someone's real character finally appears. For change, see [Convertir] Chunks.
- Al final mostró su verdadera cara. — In the end he showed his true colors.
- No mostró su verdadera cara hasta después de firmar. — He didn't show his true colors until after he signed.
- Con el dinero mostró su verdadera cara. — With the money, she showed her true face.
Chunk to learn:
Mostrar su verdadera cara
Pattern 5: Los datos muestran que… — "The data show that…"
The chunk for reports, news and presentations. The source is the subject: a study, a survey, a chart. For reporting what is said, see [Decir] Chunks.
- El estudio muestra que dormir bien ayuda a aprender. — The study shows that sleeping well helps you learn.
- Los datos muestran un aumento del diez por ciento. — The data show a ten percent increase.
- La encuesta muestra una tendencia clara. — The survey shows a clear trend.
Chunk to learn:
[El estudio / Los datos / La encuesta] muestra(n) que…
Pattern 6: Muestre su billete — "Show your ticket"
The formal command you hear at borders, doors and checkpoints. Use muestre with usted and muestra with tú. For trips, see [Viajar] Chunks.
- Muestre su billete, por favor. — Please show your ticket.
- Tienes que mostrar el pasaporte en la frontera. — You have to show your passport at the border.
- Muestra el carné en la entrada. — Show your ID card at the entrance.
Chunk to learn:
Mostrar + [el billete / el pasaporte / el carné]
Mostrar vs. Enseñar vs. Demostrar
Mostrar is to show something so it can be seen. Enseñar is the everyday word in Spain for the same idea, and it also means to teach; see [Aprender] Chunks. Demostrar is to prove. So me mostró el mapa and me enseñó el mapa are the same, while me demostró que tenía razón says he proved it.
Start with muéstrame… and muestre su billete. You will hear both the first time you travel in a Spanish-speaking country.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.