What does it mean word for word?
The word ciérralo consists of the imperative verb cierra (close) and the direct object pronoun lo (it/him).
Which one should you use?
While ciérralo is an informal way to say "close it", you may use Cierre eso to say "close that". For an exceptionally polite formal request, you can use Favor de cerrarlo, which means "kindly close it".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes depending on the gender of the object and the number of people you are addressing. If the object being closed is a feminine noun, such as la puerta (the door), the pronoun changes to la to become ciérrala. To give the command to a group of people (plural "you"), use ciérrenlo for a masculine object or ciérrenla for a feminine object.
How do you pronounce it?
/θjeralo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific expression cerrar el pico, which literally means 'close the beak', used as a slang way to tell someone to shut up.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you want someone to 'close it' referring to a heavy gate or a security shutter, you would use the verb trancar instead of cerrar.
- When using the polite form Favor de cerrarlo, you are essentially using a noun phrase instead of a direct command, which makes the request sound much softer and more indirect to a native ear.
Examples in context
- Por favor, cierre eso antes de salir.Please close that before leaving.
- Por favor, cierre la puerta al salir.Please close the door when you leave.
- Favor de cerrarlo después de usarlo.Kindly close it after using.
- Por favor, ciérralo antes de irte.Please close it before you go.
- ¡Oye, cierra la puerta cuando salgas!Hey, close the door when you leave!
- ¡Cierra la caja, ciérrala!Close the box, close it!
- El cuaderno está abierto, ciérralo.The notebook is open, close it.
- No dejes el cajón abierto, ciérralo.Don't leave the drawer open, close it.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in the living room with a small gift box.
- LucíaAlejandro, el regalo está a la vista.Alejandro, the gift is visible.
- AlejandroTienes razón, lo voy a guardar.You're right, I'm going to put it away.
- LucíaNo, solo ciérralo ahora.No, just close it now.
- AlejandroEstá bien, ya lo hice.Okay, I already did it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
