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"Cerca" is a form of "cerca", an adverb which is often translated as "close". "Reja" is a noun which is often translated as "bars". Learn more about the difference between "cerca" and "reja" 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.
la reja(
rreh
-
hah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (fence)
a. railing
Se apoyó en la reja del jardín para hablar con su vecino.She leaned against the railing of the garden to talk to her neighbor.
a. plowshare (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El granjero afiló la reja antes de salir al campo.The farmer sharpened the plowshare before going out into the field.
b. ploughshare (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El mulo se paró porque la reja se había trabado en una roca.The mule stopped because the ploughshare had got caught on a rock.
