me parezco a
/me paɾeθko a/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I look like" is me parezco a.
This phrase is used to state that someone has a similar physical appearance to another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the reflexive verb parecerse (to resemble or to seem) and the preposition a (to). Literally, it translates to "I resemble to".
Which one should you use?
The reflexive form me parezco a is used for physical resemblance. In contrast, the non-reflexive form parezco (without the me) is used to say "I seem", such as in Parezco cansado (I seem tired).
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "he/she looks like", change the form to se parece a.
How do you pronounce it?
/me paɾeθko a/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying me parezco without the preposition. English speakers often forget to include a before the person being resembled, but in Spanish, the verb requires a when followed by a noun or pronoun.
Did you know?
- While me parezco a describes physical looks, Spanish speakers use the related verb parecer to express opinions, such as me parece que, which means 'it seems to me that'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me parezco a regarding a parent is often followed by a specific trait, such as me parezco a mi padre en los ojos to specify only the eyes resemble the father.
- The verb parecer shares a distant linguistic root with the English word 'appear' because both originate from the Latin root for showing or seeming.
Examples in context
- Me parezco a mi padre.I look like my father.This sentence shows how to use me parezco a to describe resemblance to a family member.Tatoeba #4989235 by Shishir, translation #4980041 by CK
- Desde pequeño me dicen que me parezco a Abraham.Ever since I was little I've been told I look like Abraham.This sentence uses me parezco a to describe being told one looks like someone else.Tatoeba #8605380 by User87977, translation #8775520 by User87977
- ¿Me parezco a un actor?Do I look like an actor?This sentence uses me parezco a to ask a question about resemblance.Tatoeba #10363303 by DJ_Saidez, translation #3826957 by CK
- Me parezco a mi hermanaI look like my sister
- Mi hijo se me parece muchoMy son looks a lot like me
- Mis rasgos faciales son parecidos a los de mi madre.My facial features look like my mother's.
- Me parezco mucho a mi hermano mayor.I look a lot like my older brother.
- Me parezco a alguien famosoI look like a famous person
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking at old family photos.
- LucíaMira esta foto de mi abuela.Look at this photo of my grandmother.
- DanielEs increíble, me parezco a ella.It's incredible, I look like her.
- LucíaTienes razón, Daniel, son iguales.You're right, Daniel, you are identical.
- DanielSí, creo que me parezco a ella en los ojos.Yes, I think I look like her in the eyes.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
