suenas
“suenas” means “you sound” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you sound, you are ringing
Also: you are playing
📝 In Action
¿Por qué suenas esa bocina tan fuerte?
A1Why are you sounding that horn so loudly?
Si suenas la alarma, vendrá la seguridad.
A2If you ring the alarm, security will come.
you sound (like), you seem
Also: you appear
📝 In Action
Suenas muy nervioso, ¿estás bien?
A2You sound very nervous, are you okay?
Suenas como si no hubieras dormido en días.
B1You sound as if you hadn't slept in days.
¡Qué bien suenas! ¿Ya tienes el trabajo?
B1That sounds great! Do you have the job yet?
Indicative
Preterite
Present
Imperfect
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: suenas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'suenas' correctly in the sense of 'to seem'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 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)
💡 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 '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).'