aparece
/ah-pah-REH-seh/
appears
The rabbit appears from behind the bush.
aparece(verb)
appears
?comes into sight
,shows up
?turns up (unexpectedly or for an event)
turns out
?when something is found
📝 In Action
De repente, el mago aparece detrás de la cortina.
A1Suddenly, the magician appears behind the curtain.
¿Por qué nunca aparece mi llave cuando la necesito?
A2Why does my key never show up when I need it?
Ella siempre aparece tarde a las reuniones.
A2She always shows up late to meetings.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'C' to 'ZC' Change
The infinitive 'aparecer' looks regular, but in the 'yo' form (I), the 'c' changes to 'zc' to keep the correct 's' sound before the 'o': 'yo aparezco'.
Using 'Aparece' for 'He/She/It'
'Aparece' is used when the subject is a single person (he/she) or thing (it), or when you are talking formally to one person (usted).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the ZC
Mistake: "Yo apareco"
Correction: Yo aparezco. Remember to use 'zc' in the 'yo' form of most verbs ending in -cer or -cir.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Result
Unlike some English verbs, 'aparecer' focuses on the moment something becomes visible, not the action of hiding or looking for it.
The character is featured on the screen.
aparece(verb)
is featured
?in a document or media
,emerges
?a problem or idea arises
is mentioned
?in a text
📝 In Action
Su foto aparece en la portada de la revista.
B1His photo is featured on the cover of the magazine.
Un nuevo desafío aparece cada semana en la oficina.
B2A new challenge emerges every week at the office.
El nombre del autor no aparece en el contrato.
B1The author's name does not appear/is not mentioned in the contract.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Subject
When used in the sense of 'emerging,' the subject is often an abstract concept (a problem, a solution, a name) rather than a person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is very common in news reports, academic papers, and official documents when describing how information or facts come to light.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: aparece
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'aparece' in the sense of 'is featured' or 'is published'?
📚 More Resources
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).