cercanos
“cercanos” means “near” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
near, close (by)
Also: neighboring, approaching
📝 In Action
Los hoteles más cercanos a la playa están llenos.
A1The hotels nearest to the beach are full.
Necesitamos un médico. ¿Hay algunos centros de salud cercanos?
A2We need a doctor. Are there any nearby health centers?
En los días cercanos al examen, estudiamos mucho.
B1In the days close to the exam, we studied a lot.
close, immediate
Also: intimate
📝 In Action
Solo los familiares más cercanos saben la verdad.
B1Only the closest relatives know the truth.
Mis amigos más cercanos me ayudaron a mudarme.
A2My closest friends helped me move.
Los cercanos al jefe tienen mucha influencia.
B2Those close to the boss have a lot of influence. (Here 'cercanos' acts like a noun, meaning 'people close to him'.)
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cercanos" in Spanish:
neighboring→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cercanos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cercanos' to describe a relationship rather than a location?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin 'circanus,' meaning 'belonging to a circle.' This connects directly to the idea of being 'around' or 'in the immediate circle' of something, whether physically or socially.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'cercanos' and the adverb 'cerca'?
'Cercanos' is an adjective, meaning it describes a noun (e.g., 'los amigos cercanos'). It changes form based on gender and number. 'Cerca' is an adverb that means 'near' or 'close by' and never changes form (e.g., 'La casa está cerca').
Why is this entry for 'cercanos' and not 'cercano'?
This entry focuses specifically on the masculine plural form. You use 'cercanos' when describing two or more masculine things or a mixed group of masculine and feminine things (e.g., 'los parientes cercanos' which includes male and female relatives).