Pareces un perro
/paɾeθes un pero/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you look like a dog" is translated into Spanish as Pareces un perro.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal expression Pareces un perrito is used to mean "You look like a little dog." In Argentina, an informal way to say "You look like a dog" is Sos igual a un perro.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Pareces un perro, the verb pareces is the second-person singular conjugation of parecer, which means "to seem" or "to look like". If you change pareces to parece, the subject changes from "you" to "he", "she" or "it".
Did you know?
- In Spanish, calling someone a perro often has nothing to do with their appearance and instead suggests they are a flirt or unfaithful in relationships.
- The word perro may have originated from a primitive call or sound used to summon dogs, rather than from a formal linguistic root.
- In some dialects, saying someone is perro can specifically mean they are stingy or refuse to share money.
Examples in context
- Usted parece un perro cuando se enojaYou look like a dog when you get angry
- ¡Pareces un perro con ese pelo!You look like a dog with that hair!
- Pareces un perro con ese disfraz.You look like a dog in that costume.
- Con ese pelo desordenado, pareces un perro.With that messy hair, you look like a dog.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are looking at a funny photo of Alejandro.
- María¡Mira esta foto, Alejandro!Look at this photo, Alejandro!
- Alejandro¿Por qué me miras así?Why are you looking at me like that?
- MaríaEs que pareces un perro en la imagen.It's just that you look like a dog in the image.
- Alejandro¡No es gracioso, María!That is not funny, María!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perro, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
