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To say "looks like," when do you use "parecer" and when do you use "parecerse"?

2011-12-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

I've wondered this for a while.

Studying carefully the Collins Spanish Dictionary entry for parecer, the answer would appear to be that you would use "parecer" (and not "parecerse") if you are saying someone or something looks like some other kind of person or thing ("that cloud looks like a castle" [esa nube parece un castillo], "she looks like a doctor" [ella parece una médica], "this looks like spaghetti" [estos parecen espaguetis]).

If, however, you are saying that someone or something looks like some other specific person or thing, then you would use "parecerse" ("she looks like my sister" [se parece a mi hermana], "their robot looks like Eddy" [su robot se parece a Eddy], "they look alike" [se parecen], "he doesn't look like his picture" [no se parece a su foto]).

What does "irse de pinta" mean?

2011-11-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

According to Whit Wirsing's "The Ultimate Spanish Phrase Finder," "irse de pinta" is Mexican Spanish for "to skip school."

"I will see you later" in Spanish

2011-02-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

How do you say "I will see you later" in Spanish?

Usually, "hasta luego" (until later). This is different from "adiós" (good-bye), which is what you say without any expectation that you will be seeing someone later, for whatever reason.

I found a great postcard once, by Ann Taintor, with a smiling señorita and the caption "her lips said 'adios'...but her eyes said 'hasta luego.'" : )

Unfortunately for Spanish teachers everywhere, at last check, this did not seem to be available any longer. If you find out different, let me know!

"I miss you" in Spanish

2011-02-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

How do you say "I miss you" in Spanish?

One way is to say "Te extraño (mucho)." ["I miss you (a lot)."] Or, if you are really missing their presence in your existence, "me haces falta," which is more like "I can't live without you," though maybe not quite as strong as that.

"I love you" in Spanish

2011-02-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

What is the best way to say "I love you" in Spanish?

Sincerely. : )

Your choices are "te quiero" or "te amo," both of which mean "I love you," though "te quiero" would be used more by people who are dating (or are good friends), and "te amo" would be used more by people who are married (or otherwise related).

Ask Spanish Pronto

2010-08-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you have a question about Spanish, let me know. If it something I know the answer to, and that would be of interest to a general audience, I will try to post the answer here. If I think of something new and/or interesting about Spanish, I will post that here, too. I hope you will find this blog helpful and interesting!