Seem

/siːm/

Spanish Translation

parecer

Part of Speech

  • verb

Word Forms

  • seems
  • seemed
  • seeming

Etymology

From Old Norse 'sœma' meaning 'to beseem, be fitting', related to 'same'.

Del nórdico antiguo 'sœma', que significa 'corresponder, ser apropiado', relacionado con 'same'.

Meanings

verb

To give the impression of being or doing something.

Dar la impresión de ser o hacer algo.

She seems happy.

Ella parece feliz.

verb

To appear to one's own mind or to one's feelings.

Aparecer en la propia mente o en los propios sentimientos.

It seems like a good idea.

Parece una buena idea.

Example Sentences

He seems tired.

Él parece cansado.

It seems to be raining.

Parece que está lloviendo.

Things are not always as they seem.

Las cosas no siempre son como parecen.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Phrases

  • as it seems
    según parece
  • it would seem that
    parece ser que
  • all that it seems
    todo lo que parece

Idioms

  • Things are not always what they seem.
    Las apariencias engañan.
  • It seems like a lifetime ago.
    Parece que fue hace una eternidad.
  • Seem to be in two minds.
    Estar indeciso.
  • Nothing is as it seems.
    Nada es lo que parece.
  • Appearances can be deceiving.
    Las apariencias engañan.

Proverbs

  • All that glitters is not gold.
    No es oro todo lo que reluce.
  • Appearances are deceptive.
    Las apariencias engañan.
  • Still waters run deep.
    Las aguas mansas son las más peligrosas.
  • Clothes do not make the man.
    El hábito no hace al monje.
  • Don't judge a book by its cover.
    No juzgues un libro por su portada.

Usage Notes

'Seem' is often followed by an infinitive (to + verb) or an adjective.

'Parecer' a menudo es seguido por un infinitivo (to + verb) o un adjetivo.

Notes for Learners

  • Pay attention to the verb form that follows 'seem' (e.g., 'to be', 'to have').

    Presta atención a la forma verbal que sigue a 'parecer' (p. ej., 'ser', 'haber').

  • 'Seem' expresses an impression or subjective observation, not a proven fact.

    'Parecer' expresa una impresión u observación subjetiva, no un hecho probado.

  • Practice using 'seem' with different subjects and adjectives to improve fluency.

    Practica usar 'parecer' con diferentes sujetos y adjetivos para mejorar la fluidez.

Collocations

  • seem likely
    parecer probable
  • seem reasonable
    parecer razonable
  • seem strange
    parecer extraño

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrectly using 'seem' with definite statements.

    Usar incorrectamente 'parecer' con declaraciones definitivas.

  • Forgetting the 'to be' after 'seem' when describing a state.

    Olvidar el 'to be' después de 'parecer' al describir un estado.

  • Confusing 'seem' with similar-sounding words.

    Confundir 'parecer' con palabras de sonido similar.

Learning Tips

  • Use 'seem' to express uncertainty or subjective perception.

    Usa 'parecer' para expresar incertidumbre o percepción subjetiva.

  • Avoid using 'seem' when you have definite knowledge or proof.

    Evita usar 'parecer' cuando tengas conocimiento o prueba definitiva.

  • Practice using 'seem' in different tenses to master its usage.

    Practica usar 'parecer' en diferentes tiempos verbales para dominar su uso.