assemelharse

Assemelhar-se is a Portuguese verb used reflexively to express resemblance or similarity between people, objects, or styles. The sense covers physical likeness as well as broader similarity in appearance, manner, or character. The reflexive form foregrounds that the subject bears resemblance to another entity.

Usage and examples

The verb is typically followed by the target of comparison with the preposition a or com: "Ela se assemelha à irmã" (she resembles her sister) and "Os retratos se assemelham ao original" (the portraits resemble the original). It can describe shared features, such as "Ele se assemelha ao pai em traços faciais." It may also be used to indicate stylistic or thematic similarity, as in "O estilo do autor se assemelha ao de Camilo." In everyday speech, people may use pareceser as a synonym, but assemelhar-se emphasizes direct resemblance.

Conjugation

As an -ar verb, asse em elhar-se is regular in its reflexive forms. Example in present tense: "Eles se assemelham ao pai." Other persons follow standard -ar verb endings with the appropriate reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, vos, se).

Etymology and related terms

Assemelhar-se derives from the idea of semelhança (similarity) and relates to the adjective semelhante (similar) and the noun semelhança. Related verbs and nouns include parecer (to seem) and assemelhar (to make resemble, in non-reflexive use) and their variants.

Regional notes

Use of asse m elhar-se is common in Brazilian and European Portuguese, with stylistic or literary contexts often favoring the reflexive form. Subtle differences in preference for se with a versus com exist, but the core meaning remains consistent across varieties.