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"Near" is an adverb which is often translated as "cerca", and "around" is an adverb which is often translated as "alrededor". Learn more about the difference between "near" and "around" below.
near(
nir
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (in space)
2. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The day of the interview was getting nearer.Se acercaba el día de la entrevista.
The nearer I get to leaving, the harder it's becoming.A medida que se acerca mi partida, más difícil se me hace.
3. (in degree)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
It's nowhere near as funny as his last movie.No es para nada tan graciosa como su última película.
This price is nearer to what I can afford.Este precio se acerca más a lo que puedo pagar.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (in space)
a. cercano
The nearest gas station is 20 miles away.La gasolinera más cercana está a 20 millas de aquí.
6. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Violet was in a state of near despair when she realized what she'd done.Violet quedó al borde de la desesperación al darse cuenta de lo que había hecho.
What with the people who didn't show up without letting us know and the rain, the party was a near disaster.Entre la gente que faltó sin avisar y la lluvia, la fiesta fue casi un desastre.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
8. (in space)
9. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Mike got injured near the end of the game.Mike se lesionó hacia el final del partido.
We'll talk about what food to buy nearer the day.Hablaremos más cerca de la fecha de qué comida hay que comprar.
a. a punto de
Sandra was near collapse when she got to the summit.Sandra estaba a punto de colapsar cuando llegó a la cima.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. acercarse a
We were nearing the top of the mountain.Nos estábamos acercando a la cima de la montaña.
around(
uh
-
raund
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. alrededor
He was looking around but couldn't spot us.Miraba a su alrededor, pero no nos localizó.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Email was not around back then; you would fax things instead.El correo electrónico no existía en ese entonces; las cosas se mandaban por fax.
There aren't many of us around.No somos muchos.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The lion was pacing around his enclosure.El león caminaba en círculos por su recinto.
They showed us around their new house.Nos mostraron su nueva casa.
5. (encircling)
a. alrededor de
We gathered around the fire to tell ghost stories.Nos sentamos alrededor de la fogata para contar cuentos de fantasmas.
b. en torno a
The fans crowded around the actor to ask for his autograph.Los fans se apiñaron en torno al actor para pedirle su autógrafo.
a. aproximadamente
A flight to London typically costs around a thousand dollars.Un vuelo a Londres normalmente cuesta aproximadamente mil dólares.
b. alrededor de
Why don't you come here around five o'clock?¿Por qué no vienes para acá alrededor de las cinco?
