What does parecer in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word parecer in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use parecer in Spanish.

The word parecer in Spanish means appear, seem, think is [+ adj] , believe is [+ adj], think, be alike, look alike, look like, opinion, decision, the way I see it, apparently, it seems, change one's mind, be as fat as a pig, act like a monkey, look like a monkey, be hard to believe, be difficult to believe, you've been living in a cave, seem new, be as good as new, look a mess, look like a monkey, have ants in your pants, seem tight-fisted, it looks like, it seems like. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word parecer

appear, seem

verbo intransitivo (tener cierto aspecto)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Juan parece inteligente hasta que abre la boca. Con esa bata pareces un médico.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. You look like a 1980s throwback in those clothes.

think is [+ adj] , believe is [+ adj]

locución verbal (considerar, opinar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Carlos estudió medicina en la universidad más prestigiosa del país, pero a sus padres no les parece suficiente.
Carlos studied medicine at the most prestigious university in the country, but his parents don't think it's enough.

think

locución verbal (tener cierta opinión)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Me parece que vas demasiado rápido. A Luciano no le parece que sea recomendable comprar esa vieja casa.
I think you're going too fast. Luciano doesn't think it's advisable to buy that old house.

be alike, look alike

verbo pronominal (ser semejantes)

Esos gemelos no se parecen en nada.
Those twins aren't (or: don't look) at all alike.

look like

(ser semejante a alguien) (one thing to another)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
De niña, Juliana se parecía a la abuela.
As a child, Juliana looked like her grandmother.

opinion, decision

nombre masculino (dictamen, consulta)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le preguntamos a mi padre su parecer sobre el viaje.
We asked my father for his opinion (or: decision) about the trip.

the way I see it

expresión (en mi opinión)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
A mi entender, los niños deben estudiar una segunda lengua desde pequeños.
The way I see it, children should start learning a second language when they are young.

apparently, it seems

locución adverbial (según parece)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Al parecer, el ladrón entró por la ventana y se llevó mis joyas.
Apparently the burglar entered through the window and took my jewelry.

change one's mind

locución verbal (decidir algo diferente)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cambié de parecer; ya no quiero ir a esa universidad.
I changed my mind; I don't want to go to this university.

be as fat as a pig

locución verbal (CR, NI: coloquial, ofensivo (estar muy gordo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

act like a monkey, look like a monkey

locución verbal (MX: coloquial (comportarse como mono)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Estos escuincles estaban trepados en el árbol ¡parecen changos!

be hard to believe

locución verbal (resultar extraño)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Con lo buenos vecinos que eran y ahora los echan; ¡parece mentira!

be difficult to believe

locución verbal (resultar extraño que)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Parece mentira que todavía no hayas terminado los deberes.

you've been living in a cave

locución verbal (coloquial, peyorativo (ser inculto)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
¿No sabes que hay corrupción en todas partes? ¡Pareces nuevo!

seem new, be as good as new

locución verbal (coloquial (en buen estado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
A pesar de que la mesa tiene ya cinco años, parece nueva.

look a mess, look like a monkey

locución verbal (coloquial (ser feo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cada día está más fea; parece un mico.

have ants in your pants

locución verbal (coloquial (niño: ser inquieto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
De niño no paraba en todo el día; parecía un mico.

seem tight-fisted

expresión (CR, coloquial (asirse de algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Parece un mono en un ventolero, no comparte sus cosas con nadie.

it looks like, it seems like

locución conjuntiva (por lo que se ve)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Por lo que parece van a tener que cancelar el partido porque no para de llover.
It looks like they're going to have to cancel the match because it won't stop raining.

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of parecer in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

Do you know about Spanish

Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.