seica
Apparently: Seica
Seica means apparently or it seems. It usually comes at the start of the statement: Seica vai chover (apparently it is going to rain).
How It Works
What seica does
Seica is a one-word adverb. It adds a note about where your information comes from: you are passing on something you heard, or something you worked out from signs, and you believe it is probably true. English uses apparently, it seems or I hear.
- Seica vai chover (apparently it is going to rain).
- Seica marchou onte (it seems he left yesterday).
Where it goes
Seica usually opens the sentence, but it can also follow the subject: A túa irmá seica está moi contenta (your sister is apparently very happy).
Indicative, not subjunctive
Seica passes on a statement about the real world, so the verb stays in the indicative: Seica chove en Vigo, not a subjunctive form. This is different from quizais, which expresses a guess and can take the subjunctive.
Pronouns come before the verb
Like many adverbs, seica pulls an unstressed pronoun in front of the verb, as explained in pronouns before the verb after certain adverbs: Seica che tocou a lotaría (apparently you won the lottery).
An ironic use
In conversation, seica can also point out something obvious with a touch of irony: Seica estás xordo, que non me escoitas! (you must be deaf, you are not listening to me!).
Seica, polo visto and disque
Polo visto is very close in meaning. Disque focuses more on what other people are saying, often with some doubt.
Examples (6)
- Seica vai chover esta tarde.
Apparently it is going to rain this afternoon.
The speaker is passing on a forecast or a sign, not a certainty.
- Seica marchou onte para Vigo.
It seems he left for Vigo yesterday.
The verb marchou stays in the indicative after seica.
- Seica che tocou a lotaría.
Apparently you won the lottery.
Word by Word: Apparently to-you touched the lottery.
Seica pulls the pronoun che in front of the verb tocou.
- A túa irmá seica está moi contenta no novo traballo.
Your sister is apparently very happy in her new job.
Seica can come after the subject.
- Seica o concerto foi un éxito.
Apparently the concert was a success.
- Seica estás xordo, que non me escoitas!
You must be deaf, you are not listening to me!
An ironic use: the speaker points out something obvious.
Common Mistakes
Using the subjunctive after seica.
Seica chova mañá.Seica vai chover mañá.Seica passes on a statement about the real world, so the verb stays in the indicative.
Putting the pronoun after the verb.
Seica compráronche un coche.Seica che compraron un coche.Seica pulls an unstressed pronoun in front of the verb.
Splitting seica into sei que.
Sei que marchou onte, pero non estou seguro.Seica marchou onte, pero non estou seguro.Sei que means I know that, so it clashes with non estou seguro (I am not sure). Seica, written as one word, means apparently.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Seica marks an inference or report and attracts a clitic before the verb.
Related Patterns
- polo vistoApparently: Polo Visto
Another way to say apparently, very close in meaning to seica.
Level 4 - disqueThey Say: Disque
Also passes on second-hand information, with more focus on what people say.
Level 5 - quizais / talvezPerhaps: Quizais and Talvez
Express a guess rather than second-hand information, and can take the subjunctive.
Level 4 - poida que + SubjunctiveMaybe: Poida Que
Another way to say something may be true, but with the subjunctive.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice seica in Bubblegum
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