French word

sembler

Pronunciation

IPA/sɑ̃ble/

Meaning

  • verbseem

Example

Il semble que tout va bien.

It seems that everything is going well.

Illustration for sembler (seem)

More examples

Le plan semble solide.

The plan seems solid.

Core concept

An impression that something has a certain quality or truth when the evidence remains incomplete.

Common phrases

  • il semble que

    it seems that

  • sembler + adjectif

    seem + adjective

Similar words

avoir l'air: To seem so from someone's clothing, expression, or attitude.
paraître: To seem so in light of outward appearance or the situation.
donner l'impression: To make people think something is so through conduct or speech.

Definition in French

Exprimer que quelque chose paraît ou est perçu comme vrai par quelqu'un, sans preuve complète.

Word origin

The French verb sembler developed from Old French sembler and traces back to Latin similare, whose link with similis supports the older notion of seeming alike.

Usage tips

  • A personal impression uses an indirect object pronoun in Il me semble que..., not a direct object pronoun before sembler.

Other meanings

  • lookverb

Related words

Word lists with this word