Forgetting the Pronoun

Preterite Spelling

Because 'acercarse' means 'to move *oneself* closer,' you must always include the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). You are the one performing the action on yourself.

The Reflexive 'Se'

To say *what* you are approaching, you almost always need the preposition 'a' (to/at): 'Me acerco *al* (a + el) edificio'.

Using 'A'

Use 'acercarse' when describing the movement toward a goal. Once you are already near, use 'estar cerca de' (to be near).

Movement vs. Location

Extremely common. This is the primary, literal meaning of the word.

When talking about time, 'acercarse' often uses the 'se' and the third person singular, even though no person is doing the action: 'Se acerca la primavera' (Spring approaches itself).

Impersonal Use

Commonly used to describe the passage of time or the imminent arrival of an event.

When used this way, 'acercarse' implies not just physical movement, but the intention to interact, negotiate, or establish a relationship.

Intention of Contact

Used frequently in formal or journalistic contexts to describe initiating contact or negotiations.

Learn the meaning and full conjugation of the highly common Spanish verb 'acercarse' (to approach, to get closer), including its use for physical movement, time, and initiating contact.

Acercarse Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | InkLingo Spanish Dictionary

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The conditional is regular: me acercaría, te acercarías, se acercaría, nos acercaríamos, os acercaríais, se acercarían.

The future of acercarse is regular: me acercaré, te acercarás, se acercará, nos acercaremos, os acercaréis, se acercarán.

Use these for commands: acércate (tú), acérquese (usted), acerquémonos (nosotros), acercaos (vosotros), acérquense (ustedes).

Acercarse is regular in the imperfect: me acercaba, te acercabas, se acercaba, nos acercábamos, os acercabais, se acercaban.

The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'ra' stem: me acercara, te acercaras, se acercara, nos acercáramos, os acercarais, se acercaran.

Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no te acerques, no se acerque, no nos acerquemos, no os acerquéis, no se acerquen.

Acercarse is regular in the present tense: me acerco, te acercas, se acerca, nos acercamos, os acercáis, se acercan.

The subjunctive requires a spelling change for all forms: me acerque, te acerques, se acerque, nos acerquemos, os acerquéis, se acerquen.

The preterite of acercarse has a spelling change in the first person: me acerqué, te acercaste, se acercó, nos acercamos, os acercasteis, se acercaron.

acercarse

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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