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"Parecer" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to seem", and "pensar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to think". Learn more about the difference between "parecer" and "pensar" 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.).
pensar(
pehn
-
sahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to reflect)
2. (to believe)
pensarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to think of oneself as
Ella se piensa la hija preferida de la familia.She thinks of herself as the family's favorite child.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to think
¿Vas a aceptar la oferta? - No sé; tendré que pensármelo.Are you going to accept the offer? - I don't know; I'll have to think about it.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Le dije que sí sin pensármelo dos veces.I agreed without giving it a second thought.
Tendrás que pensártelo, ¿no? No tienes porque decidirte ya.You'll have to think it over, won't you? You don't have to decide yet.
6. (to believe)
