cerca de ti
/θeɾka de ti/from spelling rules
The English phrase "near you" is translated into Spanish as cerca de ti.
Used to describe a location that is a short distance from the person being spoken to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cerca (near), de (of/from) and ti (you).
Which one should you use?
Cerca de ti is the direct antonym of lejos de ti, which means "far from you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, when addressing a group of people informally, use cerca de vosotros. In Latin America, cerca de ustedes is the standard way to say "near you" when addressing a group, regardless of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group, the form changes based on the region and level of formality: use cerca de vosotros for an informal group in Spain and cerca de ustedes for a group in Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeɾka de ti/
Did you know?
- While cerca describes proximity, it also means 'fence' in Spanish. This is because both words come from the idea of something that goes 'around' a space.
- The pronoun ti is a linguistic fossil. It is inherited from the Latin dative tibi, which was used to indicate the indirect object of a sentence.
- The phrase cerca de ti is a staple of romantic ballads and pop music across the Spanish-speaking world. In these contexts, it often refers to emotional intimacy or a spiritual connection rather than physical distance.
Examples in context
- Tom vive cerca de ti.Tom lives near you.This sentence shows the location of someone living near you using cerca de ti.Tatoeba #9736895 by Shishir, translation #9266386 by CK
- Quiero estar cerca de ti.I want to be near you.This sentence expresses a desire to be near you using cerca de ti.Tatoeba #2102135 by marcelostockle, translation #2011665 by CK
- Solo quiero estar cerca de ti.I just want to be near you.This sentence emphasizes the desire to be near you using cerca de ti.Tatoeba #5163940 by gonsalet, translation #2012652 by CK
- Señor, hay un restaurante muy bueno cerca de usted.Sir, there is a very good restaurant near you.
- ¿Podría indicarme alguna tienda en las proximidades suyas?Could you point me to a store near you?
- Hay una librería cerca de ti donde encontrarás libros interesantes.There's a bookstore near you where you'll find interesting books.
- ¿Conoces algún gimnasio por tu barrio?Do you know any gym around your neighborhood?
- Vamos a visitar algunos lugares interesantes en tu entorno.Let's visit some interesting places near you/within your surroundings.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is asking Elena about a store in her neighborhood.
- Daniel¿Hay un supermercado cerca de ti?Is there a supermarket near you?
- ElenaSí, hay uno a la vuelta.Yes, there is one around the corner.
- DanielGenial, voy a ir ahora mismo.Great, I'm going right now.
- ElenaEstá bien, nos vemos luego.All right, see you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerca, de, ti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
