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Two hands gently pushing a small wooden toy boat across a table toward a child.

acercan

ah-sehr-kahn

verbA2regular with a spelling change ar
they bring closer?moving an object or person toward something else,you all bring closer?in Latin America, used when telling a group to move something near
Also:they approach?often used with 'se' (se acercan) to mean moving oneself closer,they bridge?figurative, like closing a gap between opinions or people

Quick Reference

gerundacercando
past Participleacercado
infinitiveacercar

📝 In Action

Ellos acercan la silla a la mesa.

A1

They bring the chair closer to the table.

Las nubes se acercan lentamente.

A2

The clouds are approaching slowly.

Sus posturas se acercan cada vez más.

B1

Their positions are getting closer and closer (reaching an agreement).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aproximan (they move closer)
  • arriman (they bring near)

Antonyms

  • alejan (they move away)
  • distancian (they distance)

Common Collocations

  • se acercan a – they approach [something]
  • acercan posturas – to bridge differences

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Se'

When you want to say 'they move closer' (themselves), you must add 'se' before the word: 'se acercan'. Without 'se', it usually means they are moving an object closer.

Who are we talking about?

'Acercan' is the form used for 'ellos' (they), 'ellas' (they - female), or 'ustedes' (you all).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the 'Se'

Mistake: "Saying 'Ellos acercan a la casa' to mean they are coming near."

Correction: Say 'Ellos SE acercan a la casa.' Use 'se' when the people themselves are doing the moving.

⭐ Usage Tips

Social Distance

You can use 'acercan' for physical distance, but also for time: 'Se acercan las vacaciones' (Vacation is getting close).

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesacercaran
yoacercara
túacercaras
vosotrosacercarais
nosotrosacercáramos
él/ella/ustedacercara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesacerquen
yoacerque
túacerques
vosotrosacerquéis
nosotrosacerquemos
él/ella/ustedacerque

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesacercaron
yoacerqué
túacercaste
vosotrosacercasteis
nosotrosacercamos
él/ella/ustedacercó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesacercaban
yoacercaba
túacercabas
vosotrosacercabais
nosotrosacercábamos
él/ella/ustedacercaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesacercan
yoacerco
túacercas
vosotrosacercáis
nosotrosacercamos
él/ella/ustedacerca
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: acercan

Question 1 of 2

How do you say 'They approach the building'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cerca(near/close) - adverb
acercamiento(approach/reconciliation) - noun
cercanía(proximity) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'acercan' used for time?

Yes! You can use it to say events are coming up, like 'Se acercan los exámenes' (Exams are approaching).

Does 'acercan' always mean 'they'?

In many countries, it also means 'you all' (the plural version of 'you').