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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "parecer" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to seem". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "parecer" below.
ser(
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
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.).
