Am I correct

Question

I am trying to figure out the difference between these following words I think I can explain it but if I don't explain it correctly please correct me. I think "Parecen" is used in a sentence as a plural adjective example""Los reclusos en la cárcel parecen sucios y repugnantes" but where as"Parecan" is used for a plural descriptive adjective as to answer a question like if somebody asked me "how did the inmates look in jail" would I say ""Parecan sucios y repugnantes"

Parecen

Parecan

http://www.spanishdict.com/conjugate/parecen - rac1, Oct 9, 2014

Answer 1

The other word would be parezcan

Good point! - Jubilado, Oct 9, 2014

:) - FELIZ77, Oct 9, 2014

Answer 2

Parecer is a verb meaning to seem to be , or to be like'.

:) - FELIZ77, Oct 9, 2014

Answer 3

"ParaceR" is the infinitive form of the verb. "ParaceN" is conjugated to the third person plural, so it actually does mean "they seem" or "they appear" or "they look."

Answer 4

There is no such word as "parecan", at least that I am aware of.

Answer 5

Perhaps you have seen parecer used in the indicative mood (used to declare facts or things that one considers to be facts).

Parecen contentos.

They seem happy. (I believe that they're happy.)

And then in the subjuntive mood (used for everything other than making declarations of facts or thing believed to be facts).

No creo que parezcan contentos. (I don't think they seem happy.)

Answer 6

It showed up on google translate as "they seem"

Google translate can be wrong - there is no accountability. Trust your colleagues here when they give you advice. - Jubilado, Oct 9, 2014

By the way, you do not seem to vote for people who answer your many questiona and give you advice. This ia a courtesy on the site and also motivates people to answer your questions. - Jubilado, Oct 9, 2014

Answer 7

Hello Sc89,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum.

You said:

I am trying to figure out the difference between these following words I think I can explain it but if I don't explain it correctly please correct me. I think "Parecen" is used in a sentence as a plural adjective example" "Los reclusos en la cárcel parecen sucios y repugnantes" but where as"Parecan" is used for a plural descriptive adjective as to answer a question like if somebody asked me "how did the inmates look in jail" would I say ""Parecan sucios y repugnantes"

You said " parecen is used in a sentence as a plural descriptive adjective" It is used in your sentence as an intransitive verb: The inmates in the prison (they) appear dirty and disgusting (or repugnant.)

Parece is used as a verb in these two examples:

Parece muy simpática = She seems very nice.

Parece mucho mayor que es = She seems much older than she is.

In your sentence parecen does refer to "they" so it would obviously be plural

The word parecen comes from the verb parecer to appear/seem.

However, in different sentences this verb could be conjugated in many different ways, to mean different things, and so would not necessarily always refer to "them" (3rd person plural) : Here are some examples below:

eg:1.Me parece importante dejar este claro = I think It's important to make this clear.(lit: it seems important to me)

2 No pareces tú en esta foto = It doesn't look like you (at all) /it's not a good likeness of you.

3.in 3rd person (impersonal) que + indicative: Parece que va a llover = It looks like its going to rain.

4.In 3rd person que + subjunctive: Parece increíble que hayan sobrevivido el accidente. =It seems incredible that they survived the accident.

All examples given courtesy of Oxford Spanish Dictionary. (4th edn)

I hope this helps