How to Say "alike" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “alike” is “igual” — use 'igual' when two or more things are exactly the same in appearance, quality, or character, or when referring to people being equal.
igual
ee-GWALiˈɣwal
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-dohpaɾeˈsiðo
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-ressi.miˈla.ɾes
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-lesiˈɣwales
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-tehsemeˈxante
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'.
comparable
kom-pah-RAH-blehkompaˈɾable
Examples
Tu coche no es comparable con el mío.
Your car is not comparable to mine.
Los precios de estas dos tiendas son muy comparables.
The prices in these two stores are very comparable.
No hay nada comparable a la comida de mi abuela.
There is nothing comparable to my grandmother's food.
One Form for Both Genders
This word doesn't change based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. It is always 'comparable' whether you are talking about 'un libro' or 'una película'.
Making it Plural
To talk about multiple things, just add an '-s' at the end to make it 'comparables'.
Gender Error
Mistake: “La situación es comparabla.”
Correction: La situación es comparable. Even though 'situación' is feminine, words ending in -e don't change to -a.
Choosing between 'igual' and 'parecido'
Related Translations
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