semblable
/sɑ̃.blabl/
In French, 'alike' can be translated as semblable or pareil.
Meaning: having resemblance, similar (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| semblable | /sɑ̃.blabl/ |
| pareil | /pa.ʁɛj/ |
Use semblable to describe things that share common characteristics or are similar in nature. Use pareil when you want to convey a stronger sense of being 'the same' or 'identical'.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective semblable is etymologically related to the verb sembler, which means 'to seem'.
Which one should you use?
Semblable is used for general similarity, whereas pareil often implies that the subjects are the same or identical.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. For example, the feminine singular form of the latter is pareille.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃.blabl/
Did you know?
- In French, the word semblable can be used as a noun to refer to another human being, as in the phrase aimer son semblable which means 'to love one's fellow man'.
- In casual spoken French, pareil is frequently used as an adverb to mean 'same here' or 'me too' when responding to a statement.
- The adjective pareil has a distant linguistic relative in the English word 'peer', as both trace back to the idea of being equal or of the same status.
Examples in context
- Ils sont tous semblables.They are all alike.This sentence uses semblable to show that multiple subjects are alike.Tatoeba #1182909 by sacredceltic, translation #36814 by CK
- Nous sommes très semblables.We're a lot alike.This sentence uses semblable to show a high degree of similarity between two subjects.Tatoeba #992792 by sacredceltic, translation #5504812 by CK
- Elles sont toutes semblables.They're all alike.This sentence uses semblable to describe multiple feminine subjects that are alike.Tatoeba #4865135 by sacredceltic, translation #2713739 by CK
- Ces deux paires de chaussures sont pareilles.These two pairs of shoes are alike.
- Les deux tableaux sont tout à fait similaires.The two paintings are quite alike.
- Les maisons jumelles se ressemblent énormément.The twin houses resemble each other a lot.
- Ce parc est plus similaire à un jardin botanique qu'à un simple espace vert.This park is more akin to a botanical garden than a simple green area.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are comparing two paintings in a gallery.
- HugoCes deux tableaux sont très semblables.These two paintings are very similar.
- ManonOui, ils utilisent les mêmes couleurs.Yes, they use the same colors.
- HugoEst-ce que le style est semblable aussi ?Is the style similar too?
- ManonJe pense que oui, Hugo.I think so, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alike” translations and entries semblable, pareil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pareil, semblable, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
