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"Cerca" is a form of "cerca", an adverb which is often translated as "close". "Alrededor" is an adverb which is often translated as "around". Learn more about the difference between "cerca" and "alrededor" below.
cerca(
sehr
-
kah
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (not far)
a. close
El hotel está realmente cerca, así mejor comemos allí.The hotel is really close, so let's just eat lunch there.
b. near
Dice tu hermano que ya está cerca a la estación y que nos puede recoger.Your brother says he's near the station and that he can pick us up.
c. nearby
Mi casa está cerca, pero te aviso que es un desastre.My house is nearby, but I have to warn you that it's a mess.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (enclosure)
a. fence (of wood or wire)
Una casa con una cerca blanca simboliza el sueño americano.A house with a white fence symbolizes the American dream.
b. wall (of stone or brick)
Ningún prisionero podría haber escalado las altas cercas de la cárcel.No prisoner could have scaled the high walls of the prison.
alrededor(
ahl
-
rreh
-
deh
-
dohr
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Eché un vistazo a mi alrededor para divisar mi paradero.I looked around me to work out my whereabouts.
Mira a tu alrededor; este es uno de los lugares más bonitos de la Tierra.Look around you; this is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
