How to Say "like" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “like” is “como” — use 'como' to make direct comparisons of equality or to indicate approximation in a colloquial manner..
como
/KO-mo//ˈko.mo/
Examples
Tu casa es como la mía.
Your house is like mine.
Tu perro es tan grande como un caballo.
Your dog is as big as a horse.
Ella trabaja como traductora.
She works as a translator.
Me gustan las frutas, como las fresas y las naranjas.
I like fruits, such as strawberries and oranges.
Making Comparisons
Use 'tan' + [description] + 'como' to say two things are equal in some way. For example, 'Es tan rápido como el viento' (He's as fast as the wind).
Describing Roles or Jobs
You can use 'como' to explain someone's job or function. 'Actúa como el jefe' means 'He acts as the boss.'
Making Numbers Fuzzy
Place 'como' right before a number or amount to show that it's just an estimate, not an exact figure.
similar
/see-mee-LAR//si.miˈlaɾ/
Examples
Mi coche es similar al tuyo.
My car is similar to yours.
Mi teléfono es muy similar al tuyo, pero el color es diferente.
My phone is very similar to yours, but the color is different.
Las ideas de los dos candidatos son similares en muchos puntos.
The two candidates' ideas are similar in many respects.
El sabor de esta fruta es similar a una manzana, aunque un poco más dulce.
The flavor of this fruit is similar to an apple, although a little sweeter.
Stays the Same for Gender
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'similar' is 'invariable' for gender, meaning it describes both masculine and feminine things without changing its ending (e.g., 'un coche similar' and 'una casa similar').
The Plural Form
To make 'similar' plural, you just add '-es': 'similares' (e.g., 'dos libros similares', 'varias ideas similares').
Forgetting 'a' when comparing
Mistake: “Esto es similar el otro.”
Correction: Esto es similar al otro. (This is similar to the other one.) 'Similar' almost always needs the preposition 'a' (to/than) when comparing two things.
parecido
pah-reh-SEE-doh/paɾeˈsiðo/
Examples
Este vestido es parecido al que vi ayer.
This dress is like the one I saw yesterday.
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'.)
tales
/TAH-less//ˈtales/
Examples
Me gustan las frutas, tales como las naranjas y los limones.
I like fruits, such as oranges and lemons.
Necesitamos frutas, tales como manzanas, peras y plátanos.
We need fruits, such as apples, pears, and bananas.
Hay muchos desafíos, tales como la falta de tiempo y recursos.
There are many challenges, such as the lack of time and resources.
Fixed Phrase
The expression 'tales como' is always used together to introduce a list of examples that fit the category you just mentioned.
semejante
seh-meh-HAHN-teh/semeˈxante/
Examples
Debemos tratar a nuestro semejante con respeto.
We must treat our fellow human being like ourselves with respect.
Debemos amar a nuestro prójimo y a nuestro semejante.
We must love our neighbor and our fellow human being.
La justicia debe ser igual para todos los semejantes.
Justice must be equal for all fellow humans.
Nunca encontré un semejante que compartiera mi pasión.
I never found a counterpart who shared my passion.
Noun Use
When used as a noun, 'semejante' usually refers to a person, especially in the plural 'los semejantes' (mankind or peers).
Choosing between 'como', 'similar', and 'parecido'
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