Inklingo

How to Say "seem" in Spanish

English → Spanish

parecen

pah-REH-sen/paˈɾeθen/

VerbA1General
Use 'parecen' when describing how people or things appear or look, often relating to their state or condition.
A friendly, bright yellow cartoon sun is partially visible, peeking over a green hill and appears to be winking at the viewer.

Examples

Los turistas parecen cansados después de caminar tanto.

The tourists seem tired after walking so much.

Esas ideas parecen muy buenas para el proyecto.

Those ideas appear very good for the project.

Ustedes parecen muy contentos con el resultado.

You all seem very pleased with the result.

Who Does the Seeming?

The ending '-en' tells us that the feeling or appearance applies to a group of people or things (ellos, ellas, or plural usted).

Irregular 'Yo' Form

The base verb 'parecer' is irregular only in the 'yo' form of the present tense and all forms derived from it (like the subjunctive): 'yo parezco' (I seem/appear). This 'zc' change is normal for verbs ending in -ecer.

Confusing Ser/Estar and Parecer

Mistake: “Misusing 'ser' or 'estar' when expressing a visual impression: 'Son cansados' (They are tired, permanently).”

Correction: 'Parecen cansados' (They seem tired). 'Parecer' is perfect for giving your personal impression or observation.

suenan

/SWAE-nan//ˈswenan/

verbB1General
Use 'suenan' when something gives you a feeling of familiarity or recognition, like hearing a name or a phrase that you've encountered before.
A character holding a single golden bell with a thoughtful expression.

Examples

Esos nombres me suenan de algo.

Those names ring a bell / sound familiar to me.

Sus palabras suenan a mentira.

Their words sound like a lie.

Using it with 'Me'

To say 'They sound familiar to me,' put 'me' before the word: 'Me suenan'.

Confusing 'appear' with 'sound familiar'

The most common mistake is using 'suenan' when you mean something 'appears' or 'looks' a certain way. Remember, 'suenan' is for when something 'sounds' familiar, not for visual appearances.

Related Translations

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