apariencia
/ah-pah-rye-EN-see-ah/
appearance
This image shows the external aspect, or physical look, of a character, illustrating the meaning of apariencia as 'appearance'.
apariencia(noun)
appearance
?physical look or external aspect
,look
?general visual style
outward form
📝 In Action
Su apariencia física es muy atlética.
A2His physical appearance is very athletic.
Me gusta la apariencia de esta nueva casa.
A2I like the look of this new house.
Ella cuida mucho su apariencia personal.
B1She takes great care of her personal appearance.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun Rule
Most Spanish nouns ending in -cia, like 'apariencia,' are feminine and require feminine articles (la apariencia, una apariencia).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Aspecto'
While 'aspecto' is a synonym, 'apariencia' is more commonly used when referring specifically to a person's general physical look or style.
The misleading outward show of the apple demonstrates apariencia in the sense of 'semblance', where reality is different from the external look.
apariencia(noun)
semblance
?outward show, often when reality is different
,pretense
?a false show
illusion
,outward manifestation
📝 In Action
Solo mantenían la apariencia de un matrimonio feliz.
B1They only maintained the appearance of a happy marriage.
No te fíes de las apariencias; la verdad es más compleja.
B2Don't trust appearances; the truth is more complex.
Todo fue una mera apariencia para engañar al público.
C1It was all just a mere pretense to deceive the public.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Use
When used in the sense of 'pretense' or 'outward show,' it often appears in the plural: 'las apariencias.' This emphasizes the general nature of things not being what they seem.
⭐ Usage Tips
Famous Saying
A very common phrase is 'Las apariencias engañan' (Appearances are deceiving). This is useful for sounding natural when discussing superficiality.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: apariencia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'apariencia' in the sense of a 'false show' or 'pretense'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'apariencia' y 'aspecto'?
Both words mean 'look' or 'aspect.' 'Apariencia' tends to focus on the overall visual impression, especially of a person's physical style. 'Aspecto' is often broader and can refer to a specific feature or a non-physical part of a problem or situation.
Why is 'apariencia' feminine?
Like many Spanish nouns that end in the sound '-cia' (like *ciencia* or *experiencia*), 'apariencia' took the feminine gender from its Latin root.