Inklingo

How to Say "similar" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “similar” is “parecido” — use 'parecido' when comparing two or more things that share common characteristics, often in a casual or everyday context..

English → Spanish

parecido

pah-reh-SEE-doh/paɾeˈsiðo/

adjectiveA1
Use 'parecido' when comparing two or more things that share common characteristics, often in a casual or everyday context.
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'.)

similar

/see-mee-LAR//si.miˈlaɾ/

adjectiveA1
Use 'similar' to indicate that two things have a strong resemblance or share many qualities, often used in slightly more formal or technical contexts than 'parecido'.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two small, round dogs sitting side by side. They are identical in shape and size, but one dog is brown and the other is light gray, emphasizing their similarity.

Examples

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.

similares

/see-mee-LAH-res//si.miˈla.ɾes/

adjectiveA2
This is the plural form of 'similar' and is used when referring to multiple items or concepts that share likeness.
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.)

semejante

seh-meh-HAHN-teh/semeˈxante/

adjectiveB1
Choose 'semejante' to highlight a close resemblance or likeness between two or more things, often implying a deeper or more significant similarity than 'parecido'.
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'.

Parecido vs. Similar

Learners often confuse 'parecido' and 'similar' because both are common and translate to 'similar'. While 'similar' is a direct cognate and can be used in most contexts, 'parecido' is often preferred in everyday conversation for general likeness.

Related Translations

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