Although parecer and aparecer look similar, they have different meanings and uses in Spanish. Here’s how to understand and use each one, with examples and explanations.
Parecer
- Means "to seem," "to look like," or "to appear" (in a subjective or evaluative way).
- Used to express an opinion, impression, or judgment about something or someone.
- Often followed by an adjective, noun, or subordinate clause introduced by que.
- Can also mean "to resemble" when used with nouns.
Examples
- Parece que va a llover. (It seems* like it's going to rain.)
- Ella parece cansada. (She looks tired.)
- Juan parece un profesor. (Juan looks like a teacher.)
- ¿Parece correcto? (Does it seem correct?)
Aparecer
- Means "to appear," "to show up," "to come into view," or "to turn up."
- Used to describe something or someone becoming visible or present, either physically or figuratively.
- Often used with locations, times, or in more literal contexts.
- Can be used in both concrete (someone appearing on stage) and abstract (a solution appearing) situations.
Examples
- Mi libro apareció en la mesa. (My book appeared on the table.)
- El actor apareció en el escenario. (The actor appeared on stage.)
- De repente, apareció una oportunidad. (Suddenly, an opportunity appeared.)
- ¿Cuándo apareció tu amigo? (When did your friend show up?)
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Parecer | Aparecer |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To seem, to look like, to appear (subjective impression) | To appear, to show up, to become visible (more literal) |
| Usage | Expressing opinions, impressions, or resemblance | Describing something/someone coming into view or presence |
| Followed by | adjectives, nouns, or "que" clauses | locations, times, or nothing (context-dependent) |
| Examples | Parece interesante. (It seems interesting.) | Apareció en la fiesta. (He appeared at the party.) |
After "parecer," what types of words or clauses can typically follow?
adjectives, nouns, or 'que' clauses
'Parecer' is often followed by adjectives (e.g., cansado), nouns (e.g., un profesor), or subordinate clauses introduced by 'que' (e.g., que va a llover).
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- If you’re talking about an impression or opinion, use parecer.
- If you’re talking about something or someone becoming visible or showing up, use aparecer.
- Remember, parecer is more abstract and subjective, while aparecer is more concrete and literal.
Which verb should you use if you are giving your opinion about how something looks?
parecer
'Parecer' is the correct verb for expressing opinions or how something seems, which is a subjective judgment.
Conjugations
| Pronoun | Parecer (Present) | Aparecer (Present) | Parecer (Preterite) | Aparecer (Preterite) | Parecer (Subjunctive Present) | Aparecer (Subjunctive Present) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | parezco | aparezco | parecí | aparecí | parezca | aparezca |
| tú | pareces | apareces | pareciste | apareciste | parezcas | aparezcas |
| él/ella | parece | aparece | pareció | apareció | parezca | aparezca |
| nosotros | parecemos | aparecemos | parecimos | aparecimos | parezcamos | aparezcamos |
| vosotros | parecéis | aparecéis | parecisteis | aparecisteis | parezcáis | aparezcáis |
| ellos/as | parecen | aparecen | parecieron | aparecieron | parezcan | aparezcan |
Practice Examples
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Parece que vas a ganar. | It seems like you’re going to win. |
| El gato apareció detrás de la puerta. | The cat appeared behind the door. |
| ¿Aparece tu nombre en la lista? | Does your name appear on the list? |
| Esa película parece aburrida. | That movie seems boring. |
| Aparecieron muchas personas en la reunión. | Many people showed up at the meeting. |
Summary
- Parecer = to seem, to look like (used for opinions or impressions).
- Aparecer = to appear, to show up (used for literal appearances or arrivals).
- Use the context to decide which verb fits best.
Flashcards (1 of 5)
- English: It seems like you’re going to win.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
