vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Cerca" is an adverb which is often translated as "close", and "cercano" is an adjective which is also often translated as "close". Learn more about the difference between "cerca" and "cercano" below.
cerca()
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. close
La escuela está cerca de nuestra casa.The school is close to our house.
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).
feminine noun
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.
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
cercano()
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. close
b. nearby
Podemos cenar en una taquería cercana a mi casa.We can have dinner at a taco stand close to my house.
a. near
En el futuro cercano, habrá carros con piloto automático.In the near future, there will be cars with autopilot.
b. close
Está cercana la apertura del centro comercial.The opening of the shopping center is close.
a. close
Hacemos una fiesta en el parque cada año con los amigos cercanos.We have a party in the park every year with our close friends.
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.