echar un vistazo
verbCEFR B2
What does “echar un vistazo” mean in English?
to glance at, to take a quick look
to glance at, to take a quick look (echar un vistazo a — brief, cursory visual inspection)
Example sentences
Echó un rápido vistazo al informe antes de la reunión para poder responder preguntas básicas.
She had a quick look at the report before the meeting to be able to answer basic questions.
¿Puedes echarle un vistazo a mi carta de presentación antes de enviarla?
Could you have a look at my cover letter before I send it?
Solo echo un vistazo a los titulares por las mañanas; no tengo tiempo para leer los artículos completos.
I just glance at the headlines in the morning; I don't have time to read full articles.
How to use it
Echar un vistazo (a) means 'to glance at', 'to have a quick look at'. It is a verbal phrase: echar + article + vistazo + a. Informal/neutral register. Synonyms: ojear (to skim/browse), echar una ojeada (a quick scan). The key feature is brevity — a quick, cursory look without deep engagement. Don't confuse with contemplar (sustained gaze) or examinar (examine — careful, systematic). At B2, this phrase is important for understanding spoken Spanish and producing natural informal register.
Common mistake
'Echar un vistazo' is an idiomatic phrase — you cannot substitute each word independently. The indirect object pronoun can appear: 'échale un vistazo' (have a look at it). Don't confuse with 'echar un ojo' (same meaning, equally common in spoken Spanish). Both mean a brief, casual look.