Cerca describes a short distance and can stand alone when the reference point is clear.
The idea
Name the reference place with cerca de; de plus el normally contracts to del.
Examples
- La farmacia está cerca.The pharmacy is nearby.
- Vivo cerca de la estación.I live near the station.
- ¿Hay un banco cerca de aquí?Is there a bank near here?
- La escuela queda cerca del mercado.The school is near the market.
- Mis amigos viven cerca.My friends live nearby.
- El hotel está cerca, pero el aeropuerto está lejos.The hotel is near, but the airport is far away.
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Watch out
Cerca does not change for gender or number; it is an adverb in these examples.
Try it yourself
Choose the preposition before a named place: Vivo cerca ___ la estación. (de / a)
Show answer or example answer
de
De introduces the named reference place.
Choose the contraction before mercado: La escuela está cerca ___ mercado. (del / de el)
Show answer or example answer
del
Del contracts de and the masculine article el.
Choose the opposite of near: El hotel está cerca; el aeropuerto está ___. (lejos / cerca)
Show answer or example answer
lejos
Lejos means far away, the opposite of cerca.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the preposition before a named place: Vivo cerca ___ la estación. (de / a)
Choose the contraction before mercado: La escuela está cerca ___ mercado. (del / de el)
Choose the opposite of near: El hotel está cerca; el aeropuerto está ___. (lejos / cerca)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe two places near your home and one place that is far away.