Question 1

Why use aquella instead of esa if they both mean 'that'?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, esa is used for things near the listener, while aquella is for things far away from both the speaker and the listener. Since clouds are high up in the sky, aquella (meaning 'that over there') is the natural choice.

Question 2

How do I know to use the feminine aquella with nube since it ends in '-e'?

Accepted Answer

Nouns ending in '-e' don't follow a strict rule for masculine or feminine, so you have to learn their gender as you go. Nube is a feminine noun, which is why it pairs with the feminine aquella instead of the masculine aquel.

Question 3

Why doesn't the sentence use como to say 'looks like'?

Accepted Answer

The verb parecer means 'to seem' or 'to look like' all on its own. It already includes the idea of 'like' when comparing the subject to a noun, so you don't need to add an extra word.

Question 4

I've also learned se parece a for 'looks like'. Why use just parece here?

Accepted Answer

Parecer is used when something gives the general impression or illusion of being something else (the cloud just seems like a mountain). Parecerse a is used when two actual things or people share a real physical resemblance, like saying a son looks like his father.

Aquella nube parece una montaña.

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