parecido
/pah-reh-SEE-doh/
similar
As an adjective, parecido means similar, like these two matching cats.
parecido(adjective)
similar
?having features in common
,alike
?two things that look the same
like
?informal comparison
📝 In Action
Tu coche es parecido al mío, pero el color es diferente.
A1Your car is similar to mine, but the color is different.
Las dos ideas son muy parecidas, casi idénticas.
A2The two ideas are very similar, almost identical.
Ella y su hermana son increíblemente parecidas.
A2She and her sister are incredibly alike.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like all Spanish describing words, 'parecido' must match the thing it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un coche parecido' (masculine), 'unas ideas parecidas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'que' instead of 'a'
Mistake: "Mi chaqueta es parecida que la tuya."
Correction: Mi chaqueta es parecida a la tuya. (When you say something is similar TO something else, always use the word 'a'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Comparing with 'a'
To compare two items, 'parecido' is almost always followed by the preposition 'a' (to): 'Este perro es parecido a un lobo' (This dog is similar to a wolf).
The noun parecido means resemblance, shown by the strong similarity between these two teddy bears.
parecido(noun)
resemblance
?physical or abstract similarity
,similarity
?the quality of being similar
likeness
?a close copy or imitation
📝 In Action
Hay un gran parecido entre padre e hijo, sobre todo en los ojos.
B1There is a great resemblance between father and son, especially in the eyes.
Si ves a alguien con un parecido a mí, salúdalo.
B2If you see someone who looks like me (a likeness), say hello to them.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Noun
As a noun, 'parecido' is masculine singular ('el parecido'). It usually works with the verbs 'tener' (to have) or 'encontrar' (to find): 'Tener un parecido' means 'to have a resemblance'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focusing on People
This noun form is most often used when discussing how much one person looks like another, especially family members.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: parecido
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'parecido' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'parecido' and 'similar'?
They are synonyms and often interchangeable! 'Similar' is sometimes considered slightly more formal or abstract (used for concepts), while 'parecido' is very common in everyday speech, especially for physical resemblance.
Is 'parecido' related to the verb 'parecer'?
Yes. 'Parecido' is actually the past participle of the verb 'parecer' (to seem). When you use 'parecido' as an adjective, you are essentially saying that something 'has seemed' or 'has appeared' like something else.