cerca
/ˈθeɾka/
The English phrase 'close by' is translated into Spanish as cerca.
cerca is used to describe a person or place that is a short distance away. In spoken Spanish, you may also hear the idiomatic phrase por aquí cerca to mean 'close by' or 'around this area'.
Which one should you use?
While cerca is an adverb meaning 'close' or 'nearby', it is important not to confuse it with 'el cerca', which refers to a fence (a different part of speech).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, cercano can be used to mean 'close by'. In Spain, the term pegado is used. In Latin America, the expression Ahí nomás is used informally to indicate proximity.
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying a particular object or place, the word cerca must be followed by the preposition de.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθeɾka/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying cerca el when you mean 'close to the'. Instead, you must use cerca del or cerca de la.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word cerca shares a common ancestor with the English word 'circa', which is used in academic writing to mean 'approximately' or 'around'.
- In Spain, people use the word pegado, which literally means 'glued' or 'stuck', to describe something that is very close by.
- In some regions, cercano can describe not just a physical distance but also a close emotional relationship between two people.
Examples in context
- Ella vive muy cerca de aquí.She lives quite close by.This sentence uses cerca to show where someone lives in relation to a location.Tatoeba #1291774 by Shishir, translation #310959 by CK
- Ellos viven cerca del aeropuerto.They live close by the airport.This sentence uses cerca to show proximity to a specific landmark.Tatoeba #2590596 by marcelostockle, translation #306399 by CK
- Nuestro profesor vive por acá cerca.Our teacher lives close by.This sentence uses cerca within the idiomatic phrase por acá cerca to mean 'close by'.Tatoeba #1451611 by marcelostockle, translation #272876 by CK
- La tienda está cerca (de) mi casa.The store is close by my house.
- El restaurante se encuentra en las inmediaciones del parque.The restaurant is located close by the park.
- El hotel está a poca distancia del aeropuerto.The hotel is close by the airport.
- ¡La playa está cerquita (de) aquí!The beach is close by here!
- La panadería está ahí nomás, en la esquina.The bakery is right there, on the corner.
- El cine está pegado al centro comercial.The cinema is close by the shopping center.
- El parque está cercano a mi casa.The park is close by my house.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are walking in the city and looking for a café.
- María¿Sabes si hay un café cerca?Do you know if there is a café close by?
- MateoSí, hay uno muy cerca de aquí.Yes, there is one very close by here.
- María¡Qué bien! Vamos hacia allá.Great! Let's go towards it.
- MateoPerfecto, caminemos un poco.Perfect, let's walk a little.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cerca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
