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How to Say "to look" in Spanish

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parecer

/pah-reh-SEHR//paɾeˈseɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'parecer' when describing a visual impression or how someone or something seems to you.
A person looking at a faint, slightly blurry silhouette of a large shape in the distance on a sunny hill, illustrating uncertainty about the appearance.

Examples

Pareces cansado hoy.

You look tired today.

El examen parece difícil.

The exam seems difficult.

Parece que va a llover.

It looks like it is going to rain.

The 'Z' Change

In the present tense, the 'yo' form changes to 'parezco'. This 'zc' sound also appears in all forms of the Present Subjunctive (parezca).

Looking like vs. Looking at

Don't confuse 'parecer' (to look a certain way) with 'mirar' (to look AT something). Use 'parecer' to describe appearances.

Using 'Como'

Mistake: “Pareces como cansado.”

Correction: Pareces cansado.

verse

/vehr-seh//ˈbeɾse/

verbB1general
Use 'verse' to describe how you yourself appear or seem, often related to a state or feeling.
A young person sitting on a bench, looking exhausted, yawning and rubbing their tired eyes.

Examples

Después del maratón, me veo agotado.

After the marathon, I look/feel exhausted.

Ella se ve muy feliz en su nuevo trabajo.

She seems very happy in her new job.

No me veo viviendo en una ciudad tan grande.

I don't imagine myself living in such a big city.

Talking About Appearance

When 'verse' means 'to look' or 'to seem,' it is always followed by an adjective (like 'cansado' or 'feliz').

Confusing 'Verse' and 'Parecer'

Mistake: “Using 'Me parezco cansado.'”

Correction: Use 'Me veo cansado.' 'Parecer' means 'to look like' someone else, not 'to seem' or 'to look' a certain way personally.

quedarnos

keh-DAHR-nos/keˈðaɾnos/

verbB1general
Use 'quedarnos' (or 'quedar') to talk about how clothing fits or how something remains in a situation, like running out of something.
A large, clear glass bowl that is mostly empty, containing just three small, distinct colorful candies resting at the bottom.

Examples

Tenemos que ahorrar para no quedarnos sin dinero antes de fin de mes.

We have to save so we don't run out of money before the end of the month.

Si compramos eso, solo nos va a quedarnos un poco de cambio.

If we buy that, we are only going to be left with a little change.

Después de la discusión, decidimos quedarnos en silencio.

After the argument, we decided to end up in silence (remain silent).

Running Out of Things

To express that 'we ran out of' something, use the structure 'quedarnos sin + noun.' Example: 'quedarnos sin luz' (to run out of electricity).

Describing Appearance

The phrase 'quedarnos + adjective' describes the result of an action or how we look/feel: 'quedarnos cansados' (to end up tired).

Mixing up 'Left Over' Forms

Mistake: “Nosotros sobró dinero. (Using the impersonal 'sobrar' with a subject pronoun.)”

Correction: Nos quedamos con dinero. (Use 'quedarse con' to mean 'to be left possessing' or 'Nos quedó dinero' if using the impersonal form of 'quedar'.)

representar

/reh-preh-sehn-TAR//repɾesenˈtaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'representar' when referring to how old someone appears to be, often contrasting with their actual age.
An older person with gray hair and glasses smiling warmly.

Examples

Él tiene 50 años, pero representa muchos menos.

He is 50, but he looks much younger.

Este cambio representa un gran esfuerzo para nosotros.

This change involves a great effort for us.

Choosing between 'parecer' and 'verse'

Learners often confuse 'parecer' and 'verse'. Remember that 'parecer' is used when you are commenting on how *another person or thing* looks to you, while 'verse' is used when you are describing how *you yourself* look or feel.

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