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"Look like" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "parecerse a", and "be like" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "ser como". Learn more about the difference between "look like" and "be like" below.
look like(
look
layk
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. ser físicamente
What does her sister look like? Is she blonde like her?¿Cómo es su hermana físicamente? ¿Es rubia como ella?
b. parecer
Are we spending the night here? - It looks like it.¿Vamos a pasar aquí la noche? - Eso parece.
be like(
bi
layk
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. ser como
John loves his job so much that it is like a hobby for him.A John le encanta tanto su trabajo que es como un pasatiempo para él.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't know what Salamanca is like because I've never been there.No sé cómo es Salamanca porque no he estado nunca allí.
What's Isabel's boyfriend like? Is he nice?¿Cómo es el novio de Isabel? ¿Es simpático?
3. (colloquial) (to be something)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ser lo que se dice
How about we buy you a car as a birthday present? - That'd be like, totally sick.¿Qué te parecería que te regaláramos un carro para tu cumpleaños? - Eso sería lo que se dice genial.
