How to Say "likeness" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “likeness” is “parecido” — use 'parecido' when referring to a strong resemblance or similarity between people or things, often implying they look or act alike.
parecido
KOH-pyahˈko.pja
Examples
Hay un gran parecido entre padre e hijo, sobre todo en los ojos.
There is a great resemblance between father and son, especially in the eyes.
El profesor recogió todas las copias después del examen.
The professor collected all the exam papers after the test.
Su nueva novela es solo una mala copia del estilo de Borges.
His new novel is just a poor imitation of Borges's style.
No puedes entregar una copia con tantas faltas de ortografía.
You can't hand in a paper with so many spelling mistakes.
Academic Context
In school or university settings, 'copia' is often used to mean the physical paper you write your answers on, similar to 'test booklet' or 'answer sheet'.
semejanza
seh-meh-HAHN-sahsemeˈxansa
Examples
Hay una gran semejanza entre los dos hermanos.
There is a great resemblance between the two brothers.
La semejanza de sus ideas nos sorprendió a todos.
The similarity of their ideas surprised us all.
Es difícil encontrar alguna semejanza entre estos dos cuadros.
It is difficult to find any similarity between these two paintings.
Using 'Entre'
When comparing two things, use 'entre' (between) right after 'semejanza', just like in the sentence: 'la semejanza entre tú y yo'.
Always Feminine
This word is always feminine. Even if you are comparing two men, you must say 'la semejanza'.
Confusing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: “Él es muy semejanza a su padre.”
Correction: Él es muy semejante a su padre (or 'Tiene una semejanza con su padre'). Use 'semejanza' for the 'thing' (the similarity) and 'semejante' to describe the person.
similitud
see-mee-lee-toodsimiliˈtuð
Examples
Hay una gran similitud entre los dos hermanos.
There is a great similarity between the two brothers.
La similitud de los resultados nos sorprendió a todos.
The similarity of the results surprised us all.
No encuentro ninguna similitud entre tu propuesta y la mía.
I don't find any similarity between your proposal and mine.
Always Feminine
Words ending in '-tud' in Spanish are almost always feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word: 'la similitud'.
Using 'Between' or 'With'
When comparing two things, use 'entre' (between). When comparing one thing to another specific thing, use 'con' (with).
Gender confusion
Mistake: “el similitud”
Correction: la similitud. Words like gratitud, actitud, and similitud are always feminine.
Confusing with 'Similar'
Mistake: “es muy similitud”
Correction: es muy similar. Remember that 'similar' is a describing word (adjective), while 'similitud' is the name of the concept (noun).
copia
KOH-pyahˈko.pja
Examples
El profesor recogió todas las copias después del examen.
The professor collected all the exam papers after the test.
Su nueva novela es solo una mala copia del estilo de Borges.
His new novel is just a poor imitation of Borges's style.
No puedes entregar una copia con tantas faltas de ortografía.
You can't hand in a paper with so many spelling mistakes.
Academic Context
In school or university settings, 'copia' is often used to mean the physical paper you write your answers on, similar to 'test booklet' or 'answer sheet'.
retrato
reh-TRAH-tohreˈtɾato
Examples
Mi abuela tiene un retrato antiguo de su padre en la sala.
My grandmother has an old portrait of her father in the living room.
El fotógrafo hizo un retrato en blanco y negro muy dramático.
The photographer took a very dramatic black and white portrait.
Gender Check
Remember that 'retrato' is masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el retrato'.
Confusing 'Retrato' and 'Pintura'
Mistake: “Using 'pintura' when you specifically mean a picture of a person's face.”
Correction: Use 'retrato' for the image of a person; 'pintura' is the general word for 'painting' (e.g., a landscape).
Resemblance vs. Copy
Related Translations
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