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"Aparecer" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to appear", and "parecer" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to seem". Learn more about the difference between "aparecer" and "parecer" below.
aparecer(
ah
-
pah
-
reh
-
sehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to arrive)
a. to appear
Este tipo de flor apareció aquí en nuestra ciudad por primera vez el año pasadoThis type of flower appeared here in our city for the first time last year.
c. to show up
Juan y sus amigos aparecieron casi al final de la fiesta.Juan and his friends showed up nearly at the end of the party.
a. to come out
Mi artículo aparecerá en esa revista el mes que viene.My article will come out in that magazine next month.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
aparecerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to arrive at or in; used with "en") (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
b. to turn up
Mi hermana se apareció en mi casa de sorpresa.My sister turned up at my house unannounced.
c. to show up
Mi ex se apareció en mi oficina sin avisar.My ex showed up at my office without any warning.
parecer(
pah
-
reh
-
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
a. to look like
Mi perro parece un zorro con su cola tan larga.My dog looks like a fox with his long tail.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to look like
Parece que va a nevar. - No creo; no está lo suficientemente frío.It looks like it's going to snow. - I don't think so; it's not cold enough.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me parece que el ministro debería dimitir.I think the minister should resign.
¿Qué te pareció la serie sobre la familia real? - Me pareció una tontería.What did you think of the series about the royal family? - I thought it was nonsense.
parecerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to look like
Te pareces mucho a tu papá cuando tenía tu edad.You look a lot like your father when he was your age.
b. to be like
Se parece a un vaquero con esas botas y esa actitud.He's like a cowboy with those boots and that attitude.
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
