Parecido Com in Portuguese: Similar Does Not Mean Identical

Give parecido a clear comparison point

Caldas Aulete’s parecido entry records similarity and constructions with com, a and em. This activity uses parecido com as a practical starting pattern. The reference was checked on October 21, 2026.

• Este modelo é parecido com aquele. — “This model is similar to that one.”
• Essa palavra é parecida com uma palavra em espanhol. — “That word is similar to a word in Spanish.”
• As duas histórias são parecidas. — “The two stories are similar.”

Parecido agrees with the thing described: modelo is masculine singular, palavra is feminine singular, and histórias is feminine plural. Com introduces the comparison point when you name it. If the two things are already the subject, as in as duas histórias, you can make the comparison without adding com outra história.

Explain which feature is similar

• São parecidos na cor, mas diferentes no tamanho. — “They are similar in color but different in size.”
• O som é parecido, mas o significado é diferente. — “The sound is similar, but the meaning is different.”
• Você quer um modelo parecido com este ou exatamente o mesmo? — “Do you want a model similar to this one or exactly the same one?”

A resemblance is usually partial. Similar sounds do not establish the same meaning; similar colors do not establish the same dimensions. An extra phrase such as na cor tells the listener which feature you mean. If the comparison matters for a purchase or an instruction, ask for the specification rather than relying on the overall impression.

For a degree comparison such as cheaper than or as large as, use mais, menos and tão quanto. Parecido focuses on resemblance instead of ranking one quality on a higher or lower scale.

Original dialogue: a similar item may not fit the task

A begins with resemblance, then identifies the functional requirement. B’s matching color does not answer the size question. The dialogue is an original shopping activity, not a claim about an available product. Try changing the object while keeping one visible similarity and one practical requirement separate.

Parecido, igual and diferente do not make the same claim

• O formato é parecido com o outro. — “The shape is similar to the other one.”
• A medida é igual à indicada no desenho. — “The measurement is the same as the one shown in the drawing.”
• O tamanho é diferente do que eu pedi. — “The size is different from what I asked for.”

Parecido allows resemblance with differences. Igual can assert equality in the particular feature named. Diferente identifies a difference. The first sentence does not promise matching measurements, and the second does not prove every property of two objects is identical.

With language, say what you checked. A escrita é parecida, mas preciso conferir o significado — “The spelling is similar, but I need to check the meaning.” This is useful when a familiar-looking word tempts you to guess.

Practice: keep resemblance separate from identity

1. Complete As palavras são ___ with parecido.
2. Complete Este modelo é parecido ___ aquele.
3. Two words sound similar. Does that guarantee the same meaning?
4. Ask whether a person wants something similar or exactly the same.
5. Describe a similar color but different size.

Continue with real conversation practice

For longer listening about daily habits, use the Brazilian habits episode guide. These dialogues and exercises are original written practice. Choose one pattern, change a detail and use it to describe your own experience.

Continue with Real Life Portuguese for native Brazilian audio and everyday expressions. Choose a short exchange available in the app. Listen for the speaker’s intention, then use a pattern from this activity to prepare a reply that fits your own situation. Bruno Lopes is a co-founder of the app.