Inklingo

How to Say "alike" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “alike” is “igual” — use 'igual' when two or more things are identical in appearance, quality, or character, often implying they are the same thing or person..

igual🔊A1

Use 'igual' when two or more things are identical in appearance, quality, or character, often implying they are the same thing or person.

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parecido🔊A1

Use 'parecido' when two things share a strong resemblance in appearance but are not identical; it focuses on looking very similar.

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similares🔊A2

Use 'similares' to compare two or more distinct items or concepts that share common characteristics but are not the same.

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iguales🔊A1

Use 'iguales' when referring to multiple items or people having the exact same quality, status, or opportunity, emphasizing equality.

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semejante🔊B1

Use 'semejante' for a more formal or literary way to describe things that are very much alike or comparable, often used in comparative analysis.

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English → Spanish

igual

/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'igual' when two or more things are identical in appearance, quality, or character, often implying they are the same thing or person.
Two identical bright red apples sitting next to each other on a clean white surface.

Examples

Tú y yo tenemos la misma edad, somos iguales.

You and I are the same age, we are equals.

Estos dos vestidos son casi iguales.

These two dresses are almost the same.

Todos los ciudadanos tienen iguales derechos.

All citizens have equal rights.

Making it Plural

Like many adjectives, 'igual' changes for plural things. Add '-es' to talk about more than one item: el problema igual (the same problem), los problemas iguales (the same problems).

Comparing with 'a' or 'que'

When you say something is 'the same as' something else, you can use either 'igual a' or 'igual que'. Both are very common. Mi coche es igual al tuyo. or Mi coche es igual que el tuyo.

'igual' vs. 'mismo'

Mistake: “Usar 'igual' cuando quieres decir 'the very same one'.”

Correction: Use `mismo/a` before a noun to mean 'the very same object' (`Vivimos en la misma casa` - We live in the same house). Use `igual` to say two different things are alike (`Nuestras casas son iguales` - Our houses are the same).

parecido

pah-reh-SEE-doh/paɾeˈsiðo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'parecido' when two things share a strong resemblance in appearance but are not identical; it focuses on looking very similar.
Two identical orange tabby cats sitting side-by-side, clearly illustrating that they are similar.

Examples

Tu coche es parecido al mío, pero el color es diferente.

Your car is similar to mine, but the color is different.

Las dos ideas son muy parecidas, casi idénticas.

The two ideas are very similar, almost identical.

Ella y su hermana son increíblemente parecidas.

She and her sister are incredibly alike.

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).

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'.)

similares

/see-mee-LAH-res//si.miˈla.ɾes/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'similares' to compare two or more distinct items or concepts that share common characteristics but are not the same.
A simple colorful illustration featuring two red circles placed side-by-side on a plain background. The circles are the same color and general shape, but one is slightly smaller than the other, illustrating similarity.

Examples

Las dos tiendas venden productos similares.

The two stores sell similar products.

Ellos tienen gustos musicales muy similares.

They have very similar musical tastes.

El informe detalla problemas similares en varias regiones del país.

The report details similar problems in several regions of the country.

Adjective Agreement (Plural)

Since 'similares' ends in '-es', it is the form you use when describing more than one thing, whether those things are masculine (libros similares) or feminine (ideas similares).

Using the Singular Form Incorrectly

Mistake: “Mis padres son similar.”

Correction: Mis padres son similares. (Since 'padres' is plural, the word describing them must also be plural.)

iguales

ee-GWAH-les/iˈɣwales/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'iguales' when referring to multiple items or people having the exact same quality, status, or opportunity, emphasizing equality.
Two identical, geometrically simple, brightly colored human-shaped figures standing side-by-side on a perfectly level, shared platform, emphasizing equality of status.

Examples

Todos los estudiantes tienen oportunidades iguales.

All the students have equal opportunities.

Mis zapatos nuevos son exactamente iguales a los viejos.

My new shoes are exactly the same as the old ones.

Si los resultados son iguales, ¿qué hacemos?

If the results are the same, what do we do?

Gender Doesn't Change

Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'igual' (and 'iguales') is used for both masculine and feminine nouns. You only need to worry about making it plural.

Use with 'Ser'

You almost always use 'iguales' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to state that two things share the same quality or identity: 'Ellas son iguales.'

Confusing Ser and Estar

Mistake: “Mis padres están iguales.”

Correction: Mis padres son iguales. (Use 'ser' because equality is a fixed characteristic, not a temporary state.)

semejante

seh-meh-HAHN-teh/semeˈxante/

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'semejante' for a more formal or literary way to describe things that are very much alike or comparable, often used in comparative analysis.
Two brightly colored red apples sitting side by side, looking almost identical in shape and size.

Examples

Mi perro y el tuyo son muy semejantes, tienen el mismo color de pelaje.

My dog and yours are very similar; they have the same fur color.

No he visto una reacción semejante en toda mi vida.

I haven't seen a similar reaction in my entire life.

Encontró una solución semejante a la que yo propuse.

She found a solution similar to the one I proposed.

Gender Consistency

Since 'semejante' ends in '-e', it doesn't change form whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un coche semejante' or 'una idea semejante'). Only the plural form changes: 'semejantes'.

Confusing with 'parecer'

Mistake: “Using 'semejante' as a verb (e.g., 'El coche semejante a un camión').”

Correction: Use the verb 'parecer' (to seem/look like): 'El coche se parece a un camión'.

Choosing Between 'Igual' and 'Parecido'

Learners often confuse 'igual' (identical, the same) with 'parecido' (similar-looking). Remember that 'igual' implies a stronger, often complete, sameness, while 'parecido' suggests a strong resemblance but acknowledges differences.

Related Translations

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