Parece mentira que...
I have been wondering about this phrase, which I have noticed a few times, and means "It's incredible that..." / "It's hard to believe that..." This meaning is clear, but at the same time it seems inherently ironic. So I do wonder whether it is frequently used with a trace or even a substantial amount of irony.
In English, we say that "something is too good to be true", and although this can mean "how great", it can also mean, "this is too good to be true... (and I suspect it isn't)".
Does "Parece mentira que..." have this kind of edge to it? Or is it generally innocent of this slight perversity? When I have heard it or read the phrase it seems to be used without irony.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks.
4 Answers
Wow, what a great question! It got me thinking. I would break it down as parece mentira and parece mentira que.
The first can be used independently as the response to a comment or situation in the following way:
- Juan: Ganaron la lotería de nuevo
Silvia: Parece mentira (No way!/It's not fair/I'm shocked!)
Susana: Me llegó este cofre de oro.
- Rodrigo: Parece mentira (It seems to go to be true (the connotation here is one of shock or awe, even cautionary))
The second, parece mentira que, is a phrase that can express shock, admiration, awe and is used like this: Parece mentira que murió tan joven (I am shocked that he died so young/He died so young. What a shame!)
Both are used to express shock, surprise or awe. They can even express anger or frustration, but not sarcasm or irony .
If I were to translate "too good to be true" it would depend on the context, but I would try to steer clear of "parece mentira", unless "too good to be true" were expressing shock or surprise.
Hope that clears it up a bit! 
I wouldn´t say "Parece mentira" has any "edge" to it. It just means "I can´t believe it." It can be used even in situations of positive happenings, ie: "¡Me parece mentira que hayas ganado la lotería!"
However, if you say "Me parece que está mintiendo," then this has a completely different context as in "I think he / she is lying."
Me había pensando en esta frase, lo que he notado unas veces. Comprendo el sentido y porque sería así, pero al mismo tiempo parece Inherentemente un poco irónica. Quiere decir "parece tan increíble que ha de ser una mentira," cual es decir que tal vez se, sea una mentira.
En ingles, decimos que algo es tan bueno ser la verdad. Aún que esto puede significar "es increíble", también puedes decirlo irónicamente a significar que a lo mejor no es la verdad, que probablemente es tan bueno ser realmente la verdad.
"Parece mentira que..." Tiene este tipo de sentido, con un filo? ¿O por lo general es inocente de esta perversidad? Cuando lo oi parecia que faltaba la ironía.
Gracias, y por favor corrige mi español.
I have been wondering about this phrase, which I have noticed a few times, and means "It's incredible that..." / "It's hard to believe that..." This meaning is clear, but at the same time it seems inherently ironic. So I do wonder whether it is frequently used with a trace or even a substantial amount of irony.
In English, we say that "something is too good to be true", and although this can mean "how great", it can also mean, "this is too good to be true... (and I suspect it isn't)".
Does "Parece mentira que..." have this kind of edge to it? Or is it generally innocent of this slight perversity? When I have heard it or read the phrase it seems to be used without irony.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Doy una patada a esta pregunta para volver a ponerla arriba.
Tal vez las del segundo cambio tengan algunos consejos.
