Peer out of/Peer into

[Bobbert]

I have never gotten a clear answer on how to say

peer/peek/look out of a window

and

peer/peek/look into a room.


I know there is asomarse a and asomarse por, but are they the same or is one said when you are in a room looking out of the window and the other when you are outside of a room looking into the room?

More specifically: I am in my house and I want to say: I was peering out of this window when I saw the accident happen.

More specifically: I am in a school hallway and I want to say: I peered/peaked into the classroom so I could see if my brother was in there.

Maybe someone on this great site can explain when to use asomarse por and asomarse a, if those are even the right verbs to use. Dictionaries don't help and they are contradictory.

[Rusty]

To describe taking a look at something from a certain point of view, use:
«mirar dentro» (look through a window/door/opening into a room).
«mirar desde adentro» (look through a window/door/opening to see outside).

'Peering in/out' and 'peeking in/out' can be interpreted to mean secretively (or hidden from view). It can also mean in plain view. In either case, you're moving your body so you can see what you've positioned your body to look at. That is when you'd use «asomarse a». ('lean/peek/peer in/out' a window/door/opening so you can view someone/something)

[Bobbert]

Thank you, Rusty.

Yes, I could start using mirar dentro for peering into and mirar desde adentro for peering out of.

You advised: “use «asomarse a» ('lean/peek/peer in/out' a window/door/opening so you can view someone/something)."
Is asomarse por used in the same way? Are a and por interchangeable?

[Rusty]

Sorry, I thought I already replied.

The two can be synonymous, but «asomarse por» includes the idea that you had to stick at least your head out to see what you intended to look at. If you're just looking through a window (or whatever the medium may be) and can plainly see what you wanted to view, use «asomarse a».

[Bobbert]

Thank you, Rusty.

[poli]

I have heard atisbar por to mean to peak through.