Velo and vela

[ducviloxi]

I wanted to use "velo" for "see it!" (imperative of ver) and "vela" for "see her!" but the words as nouns also mean veil and candle. Is it discouraged to use the imperative when it conflicts with a another meaning?

[aleCcowaN]

No problem at all

velo, vela = see it (depending on what it is; velo on lack of a specific "it")
velo = see him
vela = see her

[Don José]

The grammar is fine, but I think we don't use them very often. "Míralo" or "mírala" are more frequent. "Ver" and "mirar" are not the same, but, in which context would you use "velo/a"?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@ducviloxi: They wouldn't be confused.

@Don José:

—Ese cuadro se ve raro.
—Pues sí, velo bien: está chueco.

—¿Dónde está María?
—Vela, ahí viene.

—¿Puedo ver la televisión?
—Bueno, vela, pero no la prendas.

—Tengo que ver al médico.
—Sí, velo, no te ves nada bien.

[aleCcowaN]

Using ver in replace of mirar is a mexicanismo. However ver is the normal verb when it means meeting someone or check/take care of something:

ver al médico (but "ve a verlo" is more used than "velo")
ver el problema del motor que funciona mal (but "atender" and "ocuparse" are more used)

[ducviloxi]

I said "velo en HD" in reference to a video I had posted, I was wondering if that was correct grammar...I know míralo would've been better. thanks

[Rusty]

Correct grammar.

[aleCcowaN]

Originally Posted by ducviloxi

I said "velo en HD" in reference to a video I had posted, I was wondering if that was correct grammar...I know míralo would've been better. thanks

Regarding to TV, cinema and consequently videos, velo and míralo are both used and right.

[caliber1]

—¿Puedo ver la televisión?
—Bueno, vela, pero no la prendas.

Funny Angelica!!!

[chileno]

Originally Posted by caliber1

—¿Puedo ver la televisión?
—Bueno, vela, pero no la prendas.

Funny Angelica!!!

It sounds funny. But this is what makes the difference.

—¿Puedo ver televisión?
—Bueno, vela, pero apágala después de ver tele...

[Don José]

Here we would say:

—¿Puedo ver la televisión?
—Bueno, puedes verla, pero no la enciendas.

I feel we tend to avoid those "velo" and "vela".

[Elaina]

Confusing would be......

vela = candle
velo = veil

maybe that's why we use mirar more often....

[Rusty]

These can only be confused when used out of context.

[chileno]

O se pueden usar para hacer chistes de doble sentido.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by Elaina

vela = candle or sail (when talking about nouns)

Originally Posted by Rusty

These can only be confused when used out of context.

Agreed. Or when used on purpose as an amphibology...

Mi alma, vela en llamas;
Tu corazón, velo traslúcido.

However, if these words were to be confused often, the verbs would bear an "acento diacrítico" ("vélo", "véla"), but they don't.
They don't get confused with the conjugations of verb "velar" ("yo velo", "él vela") either.


@BJ: