Inklingo

aparece

ah-pah-REH-seha.paˈɾe.se

aparece means appears in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

appears, shows up

Also: turns out
VerbA1regular (with stem change in 'yo' form) er
A small white rabbit peeking its head out from behind a large green bush, illustrating something coming into sight.
infinitiveaparecer
gerundapareciendo
past Participleaparecido

📝 In Action

De repente, el mago aparece detrás de la cortina.

A1

Suddenly, the magician appears behind the curtain.

¿Por qué nunca aparece mi llave cuando la necesito?

A2

Why does my key never show up when I need it?

Ella siempre aparece tarde a las reuniones.

A2

She always shows up late to meetings.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aparece en escenaappears on the scene
  • aparece de la nadaappears out of nowhere

is featured, emerges

Also: is mentioned
VerbB1same as above er
A simple, friendly cartoon character is prominently displayed on a large television screen, signifying that the character is featured in the media.

📝 In Action

Su foto aparece en la portada de la revista.

B1

His photo is featured on the cover of the magazine.

Un nuevo desafío aparece cada semana en la oficina.

B2

A new challenge emerges every week at the office.

El nombre del autor no aparece en el contrato.

B1

The author's name does not appear/is not mentioned in the contract.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • figurar (to figure/to be listed)
  • manifestarse (to manifest)

Common Collocations

  • aparece en los mediosis featured in the media
  • aparece un problemaa problem arises

Indicative

Present

yoaparezco
apareces
él/ella/ustedaparece
nosotrosaparecemos
vosotrosaparecéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaparecen

Imperfect

yoaparecía
aparecías
él/ella/ustedaparecía
nosotrosaparecíamos
vosotrosaparecíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaparecían

Preterite

yoaparecí
apareciste
él/ella/ustedapareció
nosotrosaparecimos
vosotrosaparecisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaparecieron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoaparezca
aparezcas
él/ella/ustedaparezca
nosotrosaparezcamos
vosotrosaparezcáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaparezcan

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoapareciera
aparecieras
él/ella/ustedapareciera
nosotrosapareciéramos
vosotrosaparecierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaparecieran

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aparece

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'aparece' in the sense of 'is featured' or 'is published'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin verb *apparēscere*, which itself is formed from *ad-* (meaning 'to' or 'toward') and *parēre* (meaning 'to be visible'). The Spanish word keeps the core idea of something becoming visible or showing up.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: apareceItalian: appare

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'aparecer' a stem-changing verb?

Not in the usual sense (like 'e' changing to 'ie'). It is considered regular, but it has a specific spelling change in the 'yo' form (I) and in the special forms (like the subjunctive) where the 'c' changes to 'zc' before an 'a' or 'o' sound. This is done to keep the 's' sound consistent.

What is the difference between 'aparece' (present tense) and 'apareció' (past tense)?

'Aparece' means 'he/she/it appears' right now or generally. 'Apareció' means 'he/she/it appeared' at one specific moment in the past (like a sudden event).