it seems to me that
in SpanishMe parece que...
/meh pah-REH-seh keh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'it seems to me that.' It's a versatile phrase perfect for sharing opinions, observations, or personal feelings in almost any context.
When you're making an observation or forming an opinion, 'Me parece que...' (It seems to me that...) is the perfect phrase to use.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Creo que...
/KREH-oh keh/
Literally 'I think that...' or 'I believe that...', this is an extremely common alternative. It's slightly more direct than 'Me parece que' and focuses more on a belief or thought rather than a perception.
A mí me parece que...
/ah MEE meh pah-REH-seh keh/
This is an emphatic version of the primary phrase. The 'A mí' adds stress, translating to something like 'As for me, it seems...' or 'In *my* personal opinion...'.
Se me hace que...
/seh meh AH-seh keh/
A very popular and more casual equivalent, especially common in Mexico. It carries the same meaning but has a distinctly informal, conversational flavor.
Tengo la impresión de que...
/TEN-go lah eem-preh-SYOHN deh keh/
This translates to 'I have the impression that...'. It sounds more considered and less assertive, suggesting your opinion is based on observation or a gut feeling.
Para mí que...
/PAH-rah MEE keh/
A casual phrase that means 'The way I see it...' or 'If you ask me...'. It's very direct and clearly marks the following statement as your personal take.
Opino que...
/oh-PEE-noh keh/
A formal way to state a well-considered opinion, like saying 'I am of the opinion that...'. It's not typically used in casual conversation.
Considero que...
/kohn-see-DEH-roh keh/
Similar to 'Opino que', this means 'I consider that...'. It implies you have reflected on the matter and come to a reasoned conclusion.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to help you choose the best phrase for expressing your opinion in different situations.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me parece que... | Neutral | General, all-purpose opinions in nearly any situation. | It's rarely wrong, but more specific options may sound better. |
| Creo que... | Neutral | Expressing a personal thought or belief. The most common alternative. | You want to sound less direct or more formal. |
| Se me hace que... | Informal | Casual conversations, especially in Mexico and Central America. | Formal business meetings, academic settings, or outside of its main regions. |
| Opino que... | Formal | Stating a considered opinion in a debate, presentation, or formal writing. | Chatting casually with friends; it can sound too stiff. |
| Tengo la impresión de que... | Formal | Politely expressing an opinion based on observation in a professional context. | Quick, informal exchanges where it might sound overly wordy. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'ce' in 'parece' is a soft 's' sound in Latin America ('pah-REH-seh') and a 'th' sound in most of Spain ('pah-REH-theh').
The structure is simple and consistent. The main challenge is remembering to always include 'que' after the phrase.
The nuance comes from choosing the right variation for the context (e.g., formal 'Opino que' vs. informal 'Se me hace que'). Using the primary phrase is always safe.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing when to use informal or regional variations like 'Se me hace que'.
- Remembering to always include 'que' before stating the opinion.
💡Examples in Action
Me parece que va a llover esta tarde, el cielo está muy oscuro.
It seems to me that it's going to rain this afternoon, the sky is very dark.
Se me hace que no vamos a llegar a tiempo con todo este tráfico.
It seems to me we're not going to arrive on time with all this traffic.
A mí me parece que la estrategia de marketing es sólida, aunque el equipo tenga dudas.
It seems to me that the marketing strategy is solid, even though the team has doubts.
Tengo la impresión de que el nuevo gerente quiere implementar muchos cambios.
I have the impression that the new manager wants to implement a lot of changes.
🌍Cultural Context
A Tool for Politeness
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, directly stating something as a hard fact can sound blunt. Using 'Me parece que...' is a common strategy to soften an opinion, presenting it as a personal perspective rather than an indisputable truth. It's a conversational buffer that adds a layer of politeness.
Signaling Your Certainty
The phrase you choose subtly tells your listener how certain you are. 'Me parece que...' often implies your opinion is based on a feeling or observation. 'Creo que...' is a general belief. For high certainty, you'd switch to 'Estoy seguro/a de que...' (I'm sure that...).
The Mexican 'Se me hace que'
While 'Me parece que' is understood everywhere, if you hear 'Se me hace que...', you're very likely talking to someone from Mexico or Central America. Using this phrase correctly in those regions is a great way to sound more natural and connected to the local way of speaking.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'que'
Mistake: "Me parece es una buena idea."
Correction: Me parece que es una buena idea.
Mixing up 'parece' and 'parezco'
Mistake: "Me parezco que el restaurante está cerrado."
Correction: Me parece que el restaurante está cerrado.
Using it for Physical Appearance
Mistake: "Me parece que él es un doctor por su bata."
Correction: Parece un doctor por su bata.
💡Pro Tips
Your All-Purpose Default
When you're not sure which phrase to use, 'Me parece que...' is your safest bet. It's neutral, universally understood, and fits in both casual chats and more formal discussions. It's the perfect starting point.
Switch to 'Creo que' for Beliefs
If your statement is more of a thought or belief than an observation, 'Creo que...' (I think that...) is often a more natural fit. The two are frequently interchangeable, but this subtle distinction can make your Spanish sound more nuanced.
Emphasize with 'A mí'
Want to make it clear this is *your* take on the situation? Start with 'A mí me parece que...'. This little addition is perfect for friendly debates or when you want to respectfully offer a different perspective.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The 'ceceo' or 'th' sound for 'c' is the most distinct feature. The use of 'Yo diría que...' (I would say that...) is also a common way to politely offer an opinion.
Mexico
'Se me hace que' is the hallmark of Mexican informal speech for this expression. 'Siento que...' (I feel that...) is also very common for expressing opinions based on intuition.
Argentina
'Para mí que...' is extremely common in everyday speech, more so than in other regions. It's a very direct way to state a personal opinion.
💬What Comes Next?
Someone agrees with your opinion.
Sí, pienso lo mismo.
Yes, I think the same.
¡Qué bueno que estamos de acuerdo!
Great that we agree!
Someone gently questions your opinion.
¿Tú crees?
You think so?
Sí, por lo menos esa es mi impresión.
Yes, at least that's my impression.
Someone disagrees with you.
Pues yo no lo veo así.
Well, I don't see it that way.
Entiendo tu punto, pero yo considero que...
I understand your point, but I consider that...
🧠Memory Tricks
This mnemonic helps you connect the sound of 'parece' with the concept of 'perception', reminding you that the phrase is for expressing your personal view or observation.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'it seems to me' can sometimes imply doubt or uncertainty. While Spanish 'Me parece que' can also do this, it's more frequently used as a standard, polite way to introduce any opinion, even one you hold strongly. It's less about doubt and more about conversational politeness.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: 'It looks like' in English is usually for visual appearance, while 'Me parece que' is for opinions or thoughts.
Use instead: For visual appearance, use 'Parece...' (e.g., 'Parece que va a llover' - 'It looks like it's going to rain'). For opinions, use 'Me parece que...' (e.g., 'Me parece que es una mala idea' - 'It seems to me that it's a bad idea').
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say I agree in Spanish
After you state your opinion, you need to know how to agree with others.
How to say I disagree in Spanish
This is the natural counterpart to agreeing and essential for any conversation.
How to say I think so in Spanish
A short, common response that builds on 'Creo que...'
How to say in my opinion in Spanish
Explores other formal and informal ways to frame your perspective, like 'En mi opinión...'.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: it seems to me that
Question 1 of 3
You're in a business meeting in Colombia and want to politely express your opinion that a deadline is too tight. Which phrase is most appropriate?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'Me parece que' with the subjunctive?
Generally, no. When you are stating your opinion or belief with 'Me parece que...' or 'Creo que...', you use the regular indicative tense because you are affirming something you believe to be true. You would only use the subjunctive in the negative, like 'No me parece que sea una buena idea' (It doesn't seem to me that it's a good idea), to express doubt.
Is 'Me parece que' the same as 'En mi opinión'?
They are very similar! 'En mi opinión' (In my opinion) is a bit more direct and slightly more formal. 'Me parece que' is often used more fluidly in conversation as a way to introduce a thought, while 'En mi opinión' is often used to frame a statement more deliberately.
How do I respond if someone says 'Me parece que...' to me?
You can agree by saying 'Sí, a mí también me parece' (Yes, it seems that way to me too) or 'Estoy de acuerdo' (I agree). To disagree politely, you could say '¿Ah sí? Yo no lo veo así' (Oh yeah? I don't see it that way) or 'Pues, a mí me parece que no' (Well, it seems to me that it's not).
Is 'Se me hace que' understood outside of Mexico?
Yes, most Spanish speakers will understand it from context, especially due to the popularity of Mexican media. However, it will clearly mark you as someone who learned Mexican Spanish, and it's not a phrase they would typically use themselves in Spain, Argentina, or Colombia.
Can I just say 'Me parece' without 'que'?
You can, but it changes the meaning. '¿Qué te parece?' means 'What do you think?'. Replying 'Me parece bien' means 'It seems good to me' or 'Sounds good to me'. You only use 'Me parece que...' when you are following it up with a full clause explaining what seems to be the case.
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