How to Say "similar" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “similar” is “parecido” — use this when two or more things share common characteristics or features, implying a noticeable likeness.
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'.)
similar
see-mee-LARsi.miˈlaɾ
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.
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'.
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.)
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.
paralelo
pah-rah-LEH-lohpaɾaˈlelo
Examples
Dibuja dos líneas paralelas en el papel.
Draw two parallel lines on the paper.
Llevamos vidas paralelas pero nunca nos habíamos conocido.
We lead similar lives but we had never met before.
Muchos productos se venden en el mercado paralelo.
Many products are sold on the shadow market.
Matching the word it describes
Since this is an adjective, it changes to match the gender and number of the object. Use 'paralelo' for masculine singular, 'paralela' for feminine singular, and add 's' for plurals.
Where to put it
In Spanish, you usually place this word after the noun, like 'calles paralelas' (parallel streets).
Forgetting Gender
Mistake: “Las líneas son paralelo.”
Correction: Las líneas son paralelas (because 'líneas' is feminine and plural).
Parecido vs. Similar
Related Translations
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