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aproximar

ah-prohk-see-mahrapɾoksiˈmaɾ

“aproximar” means “to move closer” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to move closer

Also: to bring near
VerbA2regular ar
A hand gently moving a small wooden chair closer to a wooden table.
gerundaproximando
past Participleaproximado
infinitiveaproximar

📝 In Action

Por favor, aproxima la silla a la mesa.

A1

Please move the chair closer to the table.

Él aproximó el imán al metal para ver qué pasaba.

A2

He brought the magnet near the metal to see what happened.

Necesitamos aproximar posturas para llegar a un acuerdo.

B2

We need to bring our positions closer together to reach an agreement.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • acercar (to bring near)
  • arrimar (to move closer/to lean)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aproximar posiciones – to find common ground
  • aproximar a la realidad – to make more realistic

to approximate, to round

VerbB1regular ar
A pile of colorful jellybeans next to a small wooden bowl, suggesting a rough estimation of quantity.
gerundaproximando
past Participleaproximado
infinitiveaproximar

📝 In Action

Podemos aproximar el costo total a cien euros.

B1

We can approximate the total cost to one hundred euros.

Aproximamos el valor de Pi a 3.14.

B1

We approximate the value of Pi to 3.14.

Es difícil aproximar la cifra exacta sin los datos.

B2

It is difficult to estimate the exact figure without the data.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • estimar (to estimate)
  • redondear (to round (a number))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aproximar al entero – to round to the nearest whole number

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoaproximara
túaproximaras
él/ella/ustedaproximara
nosotrosaproximáramos
vosotrosaproximarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaproximaran

Present Subjunctive

yoaproxime
túaproximes
él/ella/ustedaproxime
nosotrosaproximemos
vosotrosaproximéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaproximen

Indicative

Preterite

yoaproximé
túaproximaste
él/ella/ustedaproximó
nosotrosaproximamos
vosotrosaproximasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaproximaron

Imperfect

yoaproximaba
túaproximabas
él/ella/ustedaproximaba
nosotrosaproximábamos
vosotrosaproximabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesaproximaban

Present

yoaproximo
túaproximas
él/ella/ustedaproxima
nosotrosaproximamos
vosotrosaproximáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesaproximan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "aproximar" in Spanish:

to approximate→to round→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aproximar

Question 1 of 3

If you want someone to move a lamp closer to you, what would you say?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
aproximación(approximation) — Noun
aproximadamente(approximately) — Adverb
próximo(next/near) — Adjective
proximidad(proximity) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'approximare', which combines 'ad' (towards) and 'proximus' (very near).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: approximateFrench: approcher

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'aproximar' the same as 'acercar'?

Yes, they are very similar. 'Acercar' is much more common in everyday speech, while 'aproximar' can sound a bit more formal or technical.

Can I use 'aproximar' for time?

Usually, we use the reflexive form 'se aproxima' to say an event like a holiday or exam is coming soon. For example: 'Se aproxima el invierno' (Winter is approaching).

Does it change spelling in the past?

Yes! In the 'Yo' form of the past (preterite), the 'z' sound is written as 'c' before an 'e', but 'aproximar' has an 'x', so it stays 'aproximé'. No special spelling changes occur for this verb.