sembler/sɑ̃.ble/
verb · A2 · Frequency 349
verb
Meanings
to seem, to appear, to look like
Usually used as an intransitive verb followed by an adjective, adverb, or clause to express the impression or appearance of the subject.
Examples
Il peut sembler difficile de changer ses habitudes en une semaine.
It may seem difficult to change one's habits in a week.
Vouloir sembler calme ne suffit pas pour résoudre le problème.
Wanting to seem calm is not enough to solve the problem.
Sans vérifier les chiffres, il est risqué de sembler certain de son résultat.
Without checking the figures, it is risky to appear certain about one's result.
Collocations
- sembler vraito seem true
Common mistakes
Il semble me que cette solution est bonne.
Il me semble que cette solution est bonne.
With sembler, the indirect object pronoun me comes before the verb, as in Il me semble, not after it.
Related words
verb
Meanings
to seem, to appear, to look like
Usually used as an intransitive verb followed by an adjective, adverb, or clause to express the impression or appearance of the subject.
Examples
En semblant calme, il rassure toute l'équipe.
By seeming calm, he reassures the whole team.
Elle avance en semblant connaître parfaitement le chemin.
She walks on, seeming to know the route perfectly.
En semblant hésiter, le candidat laisse planer le doute.
By seeming hesitant, the candidate leaves room for doubt.
verb
Meanings
to seem, to appear, to look like
Usually used as an intransitive verb followed by an adjective, adverb, or clause to express the impression or appearance of the subject.
Examples
Il a semblé surpris par la nouvelle.
He seemed surprised by the news.
La solution a semblé simple au début.
The solution seemed simple at first.
Elle a semblé comprendre immédiatement la situation.
She seemed to understand the situation immediately.
verb
Meanings
to seem, to appear, to look like
Usually used as an intransitive verb followed by an adjective, adverb, or clause to express the impression or appearance of the subject.
Examples
Le train semble déjà plein.
The train already seems full.
Cette solution semble facile à mettre en œuvre.
This solution seems easy to implement.
Il semble connaître la réponse.
He seems to know the answer.
Collocations
- sembler vraito seem true
Common mistakes
Il semble me que cette solution est bonne.
Il me semble que cette solution est bonne.
With sembler, the indirect object pronoun me comes before the verb, as in Il me semble, not after it.
Related words
verb
Meanings
to seem, to appear, to look like
Usually used as an intransitive verb followed by an adjective, adverb, or clause to express the impression or appearance of the subject.
Examples
Tu sembles fatigué après cette longue journée.
You seem tired after this long day.
Tu sembles comprendre le problème maintenant.
You seem to understand the problem now.
Tu sembles plus calme depuis que tu as changé de travail.
You seem calmer since you changed jobs.