sobre y acerca de

Question

Both acerca de and sobre can be used to mean about

When using these words to mean "about" or "in regards to" is one one of these more precise or would they be about equal in a context such as:

un libro sobre las girafas - a book about giraffes

un libro acerca de los osos - a book about bears

Answer 1

Lzanoni:

Here is my humble understanding: "acerca de" or "sobre" is used for "about" when it relates or refers to something like the bears or giraffes in your sentence. "Sobre" can also be used for discussing time -- I think. But my sentences did not refer or relate to anything so "acerca de" or "sobre" could not be used.

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Maybe we will get some more info from advanced students. But you brought up a good grammar question.

Answer 2

Daniel, you are right, no sobre here.

Maybe there is a subtle distinction that I am missing but I have a grammar book that says that sobre can also mean about in the sense of approximately as in:

Vamos a comer sobre las siete - We'll eat at about seven o'clock.

What am I missing here? Is it that it's fine to use when talking about time but not distance?

Answer 3

Daniel,

In response to your question, here are a couple ways I can think of:

Está a unas 10 millas de aquí. Está a 10 millas de aquí, o por ahí.

"a unas" may work. I guess "a" can be used as well -- interesting. But can "acerca de" or "sobre" be used? - Daniel, Oct 5, 2009

I have just noticed I posted exactly the same thing as mateo, very silly ....and no, acerca de or sobre cannot be used, Daniel. - 00494d19, Oct 5, 2009

Answer 4

Would "acerca de" or "sobre" be used in this sentence for "about": "It is about 10 miles from here." I would use "más o menos" or maybe "aproximadamente".

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Example:

Está más o menos 10 millas de aquí.

or

Está aproximadamente 10 millas de aquí.

I do not think "acerca de" or "sobre" would be used. What do you think?

Answer 5

Hola Izan, así es, en este contexto es indiferente cual usar. Buen trabajo

Thanks Heidita - Izanoni1, Oct 5, 2009