¿Cómo se dice, "You seem to be acting differently"?

Question

Me pareces diferente???

Me pareces estar actuando diferente??

Are any of these right??

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Sanlee!

I would say "(me) parece que actúas diferentemente." But that may be more of "It seems that you are acting differently."

I definitely think you could say "Me pareces diferente" but that would be more like "You seem different" with a focus on the person instead of how they are acting.

Thanks, Paralee! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 2

Hi!

"You seem to be acting differently":

• *"Pareces estar actuando diferente"

• "(Me) parece que actúas diferente"

• "Parece que estás actuando diferente"

• "Da la impresión que actúas/estás actuando diferente"

• "Pareciera que actúas diferente"*

Watch out, "diferentemente" IS NOT used in this context, actually is not common in proper Spanish.

You can also use "distinto" to replace "diferente".

"(Me) pareces diferente" is "You seem (to be) different".

Thank you so much, JuanPablo! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

You're very welcome! - JuanPabloW, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 3

On reflection Sanlee I believe that this sentence will not have a direct, equivalent translation from English into Spanish.

"You seem to be acting differently" could be better paraphrased or expressed in English as;

It seems (to me) that you are acting differently = (Me) parece que actúas diferente

o

(Me) parece que te comportas diferente

I therefore agree with Paralee's translation as being the closest/most accurate. You would use the present indicative (I do /am doing something) if referring to a pattern of behaviour over a certain period of time and would only use the present progressive/continuous tense if you are talking about an action that is actually happening at that time!

Update: JuanPablo offers some great, natural ways to express this idea. The constructions offered by natives should be preferred.

In translating sentences accurately between languages it is essential to get to the heart of what you are attempting to communicate in your native language and understand this very well and appreciate that natives of the other language may well express this idea in a different way. For example, some time ago I wanted to use the expresssion ''take-turns'' in the context of a sentence about children but could not find this expression in any Spanish dictionary, either offline or online. Then it occured to me that when we ask children to ''take turns'' in reality we are asking them to share their toys, sweets or anything else, which is a very English way of saying it, and the word share can be translated using the verb compartir eg: La madre dijo a su niña: ''Quiero que compartas tus juegos con tu hermana.'' = The mother said to her daughter: '' I want you to share your toys with your sister.'' You really have to look beneath the surface of so many English expressions/idioms which do not mean exactly what they appear to mean at first glance to discern their true meaning.

I hope this helps

Thanks, Feliz! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

You are welcome, Sanlee :) - FELIZ77, Feb 17, 2012

I definitely agree with this advice. It is hard sometimes to not translate word for word, but the important thing is the meaning. - kdrinning, Feb 17, 2012

Thanks Kdrinning :) - FELIZ77, Feb 18, 2012

Answer 4

I like: Me pareces diferente. Here's one you could try: No pareces lo mismo (o la misma).

Thanks, Goldie! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

You're very welcome. - Goldie_Miel, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 5

Sanlee, you could say 'me parece que estas actuando diferente." But others have great suggestions too!

Thanks, Martha! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 6

This is my take on this Sandy

parece que ella actúa diferentemente

Thanks, Paco! - sanlee, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 7

We have a very favourite saying here if someone is acting a bit different , we say,

" You are acting like a Pork Chop " . Tu pareces más como una chueta de porc.

Answer 8

I would've went with "Me pareces estar actuando de manera diferente"....I'm thinking this because if you're that close with somebody it would make sense to use the less formal "tú", in my humble opinion. Looks like some great answers here Sandy!!