acercarse
/ah-sehr-KAHR-seh (or ah-sehr-KAHR-seh in Latin America)/
to approach
When you physically move closer to something, you are using "acercarse" (to approach).
acercarse(verb)
to approach
?physical movement toward something
,to get closer
?reducing distance
to draw near
?poetic or formal movement
📝 In Action
El perro se acercó a la mesa esperando comida.
A2The dog approached the table hoping for food.
Por favor, no te acerques al borde del acantilado.
B1Please, don't get close to the edge of the cliff.
¿Nos acercamos a la ventana para ver mejor?
A2Shall we move closer to the window to see better?
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive 'Se'
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.
Using 'A'
To say what you are approaching, you almost always need the preposition 'a' (to/at): 'Me acerco al (a + el) edificio'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Pronoun
Mistake: "Yo acerco la silla."
Correction: Yo me acerco a la silla. (The mistake uses the non-reflexive 'acercar,' which means 'to bring something closer.')
Preterite Spelling
Mistake: "Yo acerqué."
Correction: Yo me acerqué. (The 'c' must change to 'qu' before the 'e' to keep the hard 'k' sound, like in English 'quick'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Movement vs. Location
Use 'acercarse' when describing the movement toward a goal. Once you are already near, use 'estar cerca de' (to be near).
"Acercarse" can describe when a specific time or event, like sunrise, is drawing near.
acercarse(verb)
to be drawing near
?time or event
,to be approaching
?a date or deadline
📝 In Action
Se acerca el verano y necesitamos planear las vacaciones.
B1Summer is approaching and we need to plan the vacation.
Cuando se acercaba la hora de cierre, la tienda estaba vacía.
B2When the closing time was drawing near, the store was empty.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Use
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).
If you move toward someone to start a conversation or ask for help, you use "acercarse" (to approach someone).
acercarse(verb)
to approach (someone)
?to initiate conversation or request help
,to reach out to
?for advice or business
to strike up a friendship
?to become closer socially
📝 In Action
La empresa se acercó a los sindicatos para negociar el contrato.
B2The company approached the unions to negotiate the contract.
Si tienes dudas, acércate a tu tutor.
B2If you have doubts, approach your tutor (go talk to them).
💡 Grammar Points
Intention of Contact
When used this way, 'acercarse' implies not just physical movement, but the intention to interact, negotiate, or establish a relationship.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: acercarse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'acercarse' in the sense of initiating contact?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'acercar' and 'acercarse'?
'Acercar' (non-reflexive) means 'to bring something/someone else closer' (e.g., *Yo acerco la silla a la mesa* — I bring the chair closer to the table). 'Acercarse' (reflexive) means 'to move oneself closer' (e.g., *Yo me acerco a la mesa* — I move myself closer to the table).
Does 'acercarse' require a special verb form (subjunctive)?
No, 'acercarse' itself is generally used in the standard indicative form. However, if you use it in a sentence structure that expresses doubt, emotion, or desire, the verb *after* it might need the subjunctive (e.g., *Espero que te acerques pronto* — I hope that you approach soon).