How to Say "It Looks" in Spanish

parece

/paɾeθe/from spelling rules

The English phrase "it looks" is translated into Spanish as parece.

Parece is a straightforward way to say "it looks" when you are expressing an impression or an estimation of a situation. To say "it looks like" followed by a full clause (for example, "it looks like it will rain"), you should use the construction parece que. If you wish to emphasize that something gives a specific impression, you can use da la impresión de ser.

Which one should you use?

Choose your phrase based on whether you are describing a resemblance or an impression. Use se parece a when you mean "it looks like" in the sense of a physical resemblance to something else. Use parece when you mean "it looks" in the sense of an impression or an estimation. Additionally, while parece is common, se ve is another common expression used to mean "it looks".

Is it said differently in some regions?

Different regions have specific informal ways to say "it looks cool" or "it looks great":
* In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, use se ve chido/a. * In Argentina, use se ve copado/a. * In Colombia, use se ve bacano/a.

How does it change in a sentence?

The form parece is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb parecer, which can mean "it looks", "he looks" or "she looks". If the subject is plural (for example, "they look"), you must change the form to parecen.

How do you pronounce it?

/paɾeθe/

Did you know?

The phrase parece que often triggers the use of the subjunctive mood in the following clause if the speaker is expressing doubt. This changes the verb form in a way that has no equivalent in English.
To say 'it looks' when referring to a result or a finished project, Spanish speakers often use quedó. While parece describes a current impression, quedó describes how something 'turned out' looking.
While parece describes how something looks, the verb parecer is also used to express an opinion. For example, me parece que literally means 'it seems to me that' but is the standard way to say 'I think that'.

Examples in context

Se parece a un pato.
It looks like a duck.
This sentence shows how to express physical resemblance using parece.
Tatoeba #1230817 by marcelostockle, translation #67766 by CK
Parece que él ganará.
It looks like he will win.
This sentence demonstrates using parece que to introduce a clause.
Tatoeba #2344177 by marcelostockle, translation #299489 by CH
Parece que está rico.
It looks appetizing.
This sentence shows how to use parece to describe an appetizing appearance.
Tatoeba #4557771 by swyter, translation #65183 by CK
Parece delicioso.
It looks delicious.
Se ve impresionante.
It looks impressive.
Se ve chido ese carro nuevo.
That new car looks cool.
Este postre tiene buena pinta.
This dessert looks good.
Parece ser un problema complicado.
It seems to be a complicated problem.
Da la impresión de ser un lugar tranquilo.
It gives the impression of being a peaceful place.
149 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Lucía and Mateo are looking at a new house.

Lucía

La casa parece muy grande.
The house looks very big.
Mateo

Sí, y parece muy moderna también.
Yes, and it looks very modern too.
Lucía

Me encanta su jardín.
I love its garden.
Mateo

Es verdad, parece un lugar ideal.
It's true, it looks like an ideal place.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “It Looks” in Spanish