Spanish · Travel & Getting Around

"Near" in Spanish: cerca

cerca

Say it: SEHR-kahadverb/ˈseɾ.ka/

Near is cerca. Say cerca de for near to. Cercano agrees with gender.

Ask

¿Hay un banco cerca?
Is there a bank nearby?
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How to pronounce cerca

Say it

SEHR-kah

/ˈseɾ.ka/

SEHR-kah. Stress SEHR. Soft c like s.

"Near" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
cercanear / close

Adverb.

cerca denear (to)

Before a place or person.

aquí cercanear here

Local area.

más cercacloser / nearer

Comparison.

How to use cerca in real life

  1. 1Ask

    ¿Hay un banco cerca?

    Is there a bank nearby?

    Street ask.

  2. 2Location

    El hotel está cerca del metro.

    The hotel is near the subway.

    Cerca de + place.

  3. 3Choice

    Prefiero algo más cerca.

    I prefer something nearer.

    Comparison.

Mistakes English speakers make with cerca

Incorrect: El hotel está cerca el metro.

Correct: El hotel está cerca del metro.

Use cerca de before a noun.

Incorrect: Vivo near del parque.

Correct: Vivo cerca del parque.

Use cerca, not English near.

Good to know

Cerca is the adverb. Cercano/cercana is the adjective. For near here, say aquí cerca.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Picking a café on foot

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Hay un café cerca?

    Is there a café nearby?

  2. You

    Sí, uno cerca del parque.

    Yes, one near the park.

  3. ChatPal

    ¿Queda a pie?

    Is it walkable?

  4. You

    Cinco minutos. Vamos.

    Five minutes. Let's go.

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"Near" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Near" in Spanish

Cerca vs cerca de?

Use cerca de before a noun.

Adjective form?

Cercano / cercana matches gender.

Near here?

Aquí cerca.

Pronounce cerca?

SEHR-kah, soft c like s.

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