Inklingo

acercan

ah-sehr-kahn/aˈseɾkan/

acercan means they bring closer in Spanish (moving an object or person toward something else).

they bring closer, you all bring closer

Also: they approach, they bridge
VerbA2regular with a spelling change ar
Latin AmericaSpain
Two hands gently pushing a small wooden toy boat across a table toward a child.
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

Common Collocations

  • se acercan athey approach [something]
  • acercan posturasto bridge differences

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesacercan
yoacerco
acercas
vosotrosacercáis
nosotrosacercamos
él/ella/ustedacerca

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "acercan" in Spanish:

they approachthey bridge

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: acercan

Question 1 of 2

How do you say 'They approach the building'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish word 'cerca' (near), which comes from Latin 'circa' (around/near). It literally means 'to move toward the near area.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: accostare

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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').