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suenas

SWAH-nas/ˈswenas/

you sound, you are ringing

Also: you are playing
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing o > ue) ar
A high-quality storybook illustration of a cheerful child blowing a small, brightly colored trumpet. Visible, curved sound waves are shown emanating from the instrument.
infinitivesonar
gerundsonando
past Participlesonado

📝 In Action

¿Por qué suenas esa bocina tan fuerte?

A1

Why are you sounding that horn so loudly?

Si suenas la alarma, vendrá la seguridad.

A2

If you ring the alarm, security will come.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tocar (to play (an instrument))
  • replicar (to ring (a bell))

Common Collocations

  • sonar la campana – to ring the bell
  • sonar la alarma – to sound the alarm

you sound (like), you seem

Also: you appear
VerbB1irregular (stem-changing o > ue) ar
A storybook illustration showing a person talking. Small, brightly colored hearts and stars are floating away from their mouth, symbolizing that the sound of their voice gives a pleasant impression.
infinitivesonar
gerundsonando
past Participlesonado

📝 In Action

Suenas muy nervioso, ¿estás bien?

A2

You sound very nervous, are you okay?

Suenas como si no hubieras dormido en días.

B1

You sound as if you hadn't slept in days.

¡Qué bien suenas! ¿Ya tienes el trabajo?

B1

That sounds great! Do you have the job yet?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • parecer (to seem)
  • oírse (to be heard)

Common Collocations

  • suenas diferente – you sound different
  • suenas enojado – you sound angry

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

preterite

él/ella/ustedsonó
ellos/ellas/ustedessonaron
vosotrossonasteis
nosotrossonamos
yosoné
túsonaste

present

él/ella/ustedsuena
ellos/ellas/ustedessuenan
vosotrossonáis
nosotrossonamos
yosueno
túsuenas

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsonaba
ellos/ellas/ustedessonaban
vosotrossonabais
nosotrossonábamos
yosonaba
túsonabas

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedsuene
ellos/ellas/ustedessuenen
vosotrossonéis
nosotrossonemos
yosuene
túsuenes

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsonara/sonase
ellos/ellas/ustedessonaran/sonasen
vosotrossonarais/sonaseis
nosotrossonáramos/sonásemos
yosonara/sonase
túsonaras/sonases
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "suenas" in Spanish:

you appear→you seem→you sound→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: suenas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'suenas' correctly in the sense of 'to seem'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *sonāre*, meaning 'to make a noise' or 'to sound.' The core meaning of noise production has been preserved for centuries, though it expanded to include figurative meanings like 'to seem' or 'to appear' in modern Spanish.

First recorded: Before the 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: suonareFrench: sonner

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'suenas' used for people or objects?

'Suenas' (the 'tú' form) is always used for people, specifically when you are talking directly to one person. The base verb 'sonar' can refer to both people (meaning 'to seem') and objects (meaning 'to ring' or 'to make noise').

How do I know whether 'suenas' means 'you ring' or 'you seem'?

Context is key! If 'suenas' is followed by a direct object (like 'la campana' or 'el timbre'), it means 'you ring.' If it is followed by an adjective (like 'cansado' or 'feliz'), it means 'you seem' or 'you sound (like).'