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"Parece" is a form of "parece", a phrase which is often translated as "he seems". "Parecerse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to look like". Learn more about the difference between "parece" and "parecerse" below.
parece
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he seems (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Parece asustado. Será mejor que lo calmemos.He seems scared. We'd better calm him down.
b. she seems (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Parece ansiosa sobre su futuro en la empresa.She seems anxious about her future in the company.
c. it seems
Parece que va a llover. Mejor quedémonos en casa.It seems it will rain. We'd better stay home.
e. he looks (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Parece satisfecho con la nueva decoración.He looks satisfied with the new decoration.
f. she looks (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Parece estar loca, pero en realidad es una persona muy inteligente.She looks crazy, but she's in fact a very smart person.
g. it looks
No voy a cruzar ese río. Parece peligroso.I'm not going to cross that river. It looks dangerous.
a. he looks like (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Qué se puso Guido? Parece un payaso.What's Guido wearing? He looks like a clown.
b. she looks like (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
Parece una princesa con la diadema que tiene puesta.She looks like a princess with that tiara.
c. it looks like
Cuántos cuadros hay en esta habitación. Parece un museo de arte.There are so many paintings in this room. It looks like an art museum.
3. (formal) (you appear to be; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
4. (formal) (you have a physical similarity to; second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you look like
¿Alguna vez le dijeron que parece un jugador de baloncesto?Have you ever been told you look like a basketball player?
parecerse(
pah
-
reh
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sehr
-
seh
)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.).
parecer
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.
