How to Say "approaching" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “approaching” is “acercando” — use this when describing the action of moving closer to something or someone, often with the reflexive pronoun 'se'..
acercando
/a-ser-KAN-do//aseɾˈkando/
Examples
Mira el coche, se está acercando muy rápido.
Look at the car, it is approaching very quickly.
La fecha del examen final se está acercando.
The date of the final exam is getting closer.
Estamos acercando los muebles a la pared para tener más espacio.
We are moving the furniture closer to the wall to have more space.
The '-ing' Form
This word, 'acercando,' is the gerund, which is the Spanish equivalent of the English '-ing' form (like 'approaching'). It always ends in -ando for verbs whose base form ends in -ar.
Using it with 'Estar'
You must use this word with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe an action happening right now: 'Estamos acercando' (We are bringing closer).
The 'Se' Particle
To say 'getting closer' (where the subject moves itself), you must add the particle 'se' to the end: 'acercándose' (getting closer). If you forget the 'se', it means you are moving something else closer.
Confusing Transitive/Reflexive
Mistake: “La gente está acercando a la fiesta. (The people are bringing something closer to the party.)”
Correction: La gente se está acercando a la fiesta. (The people are approaching the party.) The 'se' is vital when the subject is doing the moving.
cercana
sehr-KAH-nah/seɾˈkana/
Examples
La fecha de su jubilación es muy cercana.
The date of her retirement is very close/imminent.
Tenemos una reunión cercana para discutir el presupuesto.
We have an upcoming meeting to discuss the budget.
Time Expressions
When talking about time, 'cercana' often emphasizes that the event is happening very soon, often sooner than 'próxima' (next).
Action vs. Proximity
Related Translations
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