sembra

Sembra is an Italian verb meaning to seem or to appear, used to express an impression, a probable assessment, or tentative information rather than a definite fact. It functions as the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb sembrare.

Conjugation and usage overview. In the present indicative, the principal forms are io sembro, tu sembri, lui/lei sembra, noi sembriamo, voi sembrate, loro sembrano. The word is commonly used with sentences like “Sembra interessante” (It seems interesting) or “Sembra una buona idea.” It can also introduce subordinate clauses, for example “Sembra che lui sia felice” (It seems that he is happy) using the subjunctive.

Alternative constructions indicate similar meanings. Sembra di + infinito (e.g., sembra di capire) conveys a sense of understanding based on perception or information. In the passato prossimo, the form è sembrato/sono sembrati expresses that something appeared or seemed in the past. The verb can also pair with di + infinito in contexts of inference or assumption.

Nuances and related terms. Sembrare emphasizes subjective perception and impression, rather than external appearance. It is common to use synonyms such as apparire or parere, though these differ in nuance: apparire often stresses outward appearance, while sembrare emphasizes personal sense or inference. The choice between sembrare and parere can reflect formality and register.

See also. Related Italian verbs include apparire, parere, and sembrare’s related noun forma di impressione in certain contexts. This term is widely used in everyday Italian to convey uncertainty, hypothesis, or evaluation based on incomplete information.