avvistare

to spot

verb ahv-vees-TAH-reh Rare

Origin: From 'a-' + 'vista' (sight), from 'vedere' (to see).

Also means

to sight

Usage Note

Avvistare means to catch sight of something for the first time, often after searching or scanning — avvistare una nave = to spot a ship, avvistare un raro uccello = to sight a rare bird. It implies the first moment of visual contact. It is a regular -are verb taking avere. Do not confuse with vedere (to see in general) or guardare (to look at/watch).

Examples

"La guardia costiera ha avvistato un gommone al largo."

Natural Translation

The coastguard spotted a dinghy offshore.

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