Inklingo

How to Say "to approach" in Spanish

English → Spanish

acercarse

ah-sehr-KAHR-seh (or ah-sehr-KAHR-seh in Latin America)/aθeɾˈkaɾse/

verbA2general
Use 'acercarse' for general physical movement towards someone or something, often with an implied goal or expectation.
A bear cub is walking across a field, moving closer to a brightly colored red mushroom house in the distance.

Examples

El perro se acercó a la mesa esperando comida.

The dog approached the table hoping for food.

Por favor, no te acerques al borde del acantilado.

Please, don't get close to the edge of the cliff.

¿Nos acercamos a la ventana para ver mejor?

Shall we move closer to the window to see better?

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'.

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'.)

acercarme

/ah-sehr-KAR-meh//aserˈkarme/

verbA2general
Use 'acercarme' when the focus is on your own action of moving closer to someone or something, particularly for the purpose of interaction or communication.
A friendly child taking a step forward to reach for a bright red ball on the grass.

Examples

Necesito acercarme un poco más para leer el cartel.

I need to get a little closer to read the sign.

Voy a acercarme a la recepción para preguntar.

I'm going to approach the front desk to ask.

Quiero acercarme a la cultura española a través de la música.

I want to get closer to Spanish culture through music.

The 'me' at the end

This word is a combination of 'acercar' (to bring near) and 'me' (myself). Using them together means you are the one doing the moving!

Always use 'a'

When you get closer to something in Spanish, you must use the bridge word 'a'. For example: 'acercarme a la casa' (get closer to the house).

Missing the 'a'

Mistake: “Quiero acercarme el gato.”

Correction: Quiero acercarme AL gato. (Remember to use 'a' before the thing you are approaching.)

Spelling changes

Mistake: “Yo me acercé.”

Correction: Yo me acerqué. The 'c' changes to 'qu' in some past and special forms to keep the 'K' sound.

Using 'acercarme' vs. 'acercarse'

Learners often confuse 'acercarme' (I approach) and 'acercarse' (to approach, reflexive). Remember that 'acercarme' specifically refers to *your own* action of approaching, while 'acercarse' is the general verb form, often used when the subject is not 'I' or when the action is more general.

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