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"Parecer" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to seem", and "alegrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cheer up". Learn more about the difference between "parecer" and "alegrar" below.
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.).
alegrar(
ah
-
leh
-
grahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to make happy
Nos alegraste mucho con la noticia de que vamos a ser abuelos.You've made us really happy with the news that we're going to be grandparents.
2. (to enliven)
alegrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to rejoice)
c. to be glad
Me alegro de que lo preguntes, porque me había olvidado de mencionarlo.I'm glad you ask, since I had forgotten to mention it.
a. to get tipsy (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Una cerveza no es suficiente para alegrarme.One beer is not enough to get me tipsy.
b. to get merry (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Se alegró con solo un sorbo de vino.She got merry with just one sip of wine.
