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"Sentía" is a form of "sentir", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to feel". "Parecía" is a form of "parecer", a copular verb which is often translated as "to seem". Learn more about the difference between "sentía" and "parecía" below.
sentir(
sehn
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to feel
Sentí mucho frío mientras esperaba que me rescataran de la montaña.I felt really cold while I waited to be rescued from the mountain.
a. to feel
No me creía capaz de sentir pena por mi ex después de todo lo que pasó.I didn't think I was capable of feeling sorry for my ex after everything that happened.
4. (to perceive with the senses) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
c. to taste (with your mouth)
Cuando estaba embarazada, a veces sentía un sabor metálico en la boca.When I was pregnant, sometimes I tasted a metallic taste in my mouth.
5. (to regret)
b. to be sorry about
Siento mucho lo de tu empleo. Espero que te salga otra oportunidad pronto.I'm really sorry about your job. I hope something else comes up soon.
sentirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get upset
El niño se sintió porque no pudo hacer lo que quería.The kid got upset because he couldn't do what he wanted to.
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.).
