Parece vs parece que

Question

When do I need the "que" before parece? I know "que" means "that", but in the sentence below, do I need the "que" since the "que" in the sentence doesn't translate to "that"

(Me) Parece que va a llover

It looks (to me) like it will rain.

Couldn't I say: "Parece ir a llover" or "Parece como ir a llover" since como means like?

Answer 1

The thing I do with "que" when wondering whether it needs to be included in sentences like this is ask myself can the English sentence include "that." If so then I include "que." For example here the English sentence could be "It seems that it is going to rain." In contrast a sentence like "You seem tired" could not be written "You seem that tired" (without changing meaning) so this would just be written "Pareces cansado." I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a rule, but it seems to work.

So "que" needs to be included here, and also, with your alternate sentences, remember that something is still going to happen so "ir" must be still be conjugated to "it" hence "va."

Thanks jellonz!! I understand it now - Ramonaspiker, Oct 11, 2016

No worries Ramona. Note also Oshnaj has identified the difference between "will rain / lloverá" and "is going to rain / va a llover." - jellonz, Oct 11, 2016

Yeah that was great difference he identified! Is there really a huge difference between will and is going to? - Ramonaspiker, Oct 12, 2016

It's not a huge difference in English, and often the two are virtually interchangeable. In Spanish the separation may be a little more distinct. - jellonz, Oct 12, 2016

Got it. Thanks again! :) - Ramonaspiker, Oct 12, 2016

Answer 2

Que is used in all assumptions of action, even in answers such as: Me parece que sí / no. Here you are really answering about an action: ¿Crees que llueva hoy? ... Me parece que sí, va a llover / que no, no va a llover.

Que is not used when comparing things, ie: Hoy parece un día maravilloso porque no va a llover. La casa que vimos no me parece buena.

Great explanation! Very helpful! Thanks a bunch :) - Ramonaspiker, Oct 12, 2016

Answer 3

Your sentence actually means me parece que lloverá.

In Spanish, que is used to construct the subordinated sentences, and we cannot leave it off unlike English (when is not the subject of the second clause): me parece lloverá

True. Thanks Oshnaj! - Ramonaspiker, Oct 11, 2016

Answer 4

This reminds me of an old song I heard as a child.

Parece que va a llover,

El cielo está nublando

Parece que va a llover,

Ay, Mamá me estoy mojando.