Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Similar in Spanish: Similar
Similar · adjective · see-mee-LAHR
Similar in Spanish is conveniently the same word: similar. It functions the same way as in English, describing things that resemble each other without being identical. The synonym parecido is just as common in everyday speech and often feels more natural. Semejante is reserved for formal or written contexts.
Pronounce it see-mee-LAHR, with the stress on the last syllable. Spanish stresses the final syllable because the word ends in a consonant other than n or s.
Nuestras opiniones son bastante similares.
Our opinions are quite similar.
Similar in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for similar, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| similar | similar | see-mee-LAHR | Default, widely understood |
| parecido | similar | very common alternative meaning alike or resembling | |
| semejante | similar | formal or literary contexts |
How Native Speakers Use Similar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Comparing two products
Este modelo es muy similar al que vimos ayer en la otra tienda.
This model is very similar to the one we saw yesterday at the other store.
Similar works exactly as in English when comparing items.
Describing resemblance between people
Mi hermana y yo tenemos gustos muy parecidos en música.
My sister and I have very similar tastes in music.
Parecido is the everyday alternative that native speakers use frequently.
Formal comparison
Los investigadores encontraron resultados semejantes en ambos estudios.
The researchers found similar results in both studies.
Semejante appears in academic, scientific, and literary writing.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Similar
Using similar with the wrong preposition
Incorrect: Es similar de mi hermano.
Correct: Es similar a mi hermano.
Similar requires the preposition a (to), not de (of). The structure mirrors English: similar to something, similar a algo.
Pronouncing it like English
Incorrect: SIM-uh-ler
Correct: see-mee-LAHR
Spanish similar has three clear syllables with stress on the last one. Pronouncing it with English vowels and stress makes it hard for native speakers to recognize.
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See Similar used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Similar in Spanish
- How do you say similar in Spanish?
- The word similar exists in Spanish with the same spelling and meaning as in English, making it a true cognate. The pronunciation differs — see-mee-LAHR instead of SIM-uh-ler — but the word is immediately recognizable.
- What is the difference between similar and parecido?
- They are largely synonymous. Similar is a direct cognate of the English word, while parecido comes from the verb parecer (to seem) and feels more colloquial. In everyday speech, parecido is often preferred, while similar appears more in writing.
- Is similar a cognate in Spanish?
- Similar is a true cognate — it looks the same, means the same, and functions the same way in both languages. Unlike false cognates (such as embarazada, which means pregnant, not embarrassed), similar poses no risk of confusion between languages.