Avvicina

Avvicina is an Italian verb form derived from avvicinare, meaning to bring near or to approach. It most often appears as the third-person singular present indicative, as in lui avvicina or lei avvicina, meaning “he/she approaches.” The same spelling also serves as the informal second-person singular imperative: avvicina!, used to tell someone to move closer or to bring something nearer.

As a transitive verb, avvicina takes a direct object: Avvicina la sedia al tavolo. It can also be used with prepositional phrases to indicate approaching a person or place: avvicinarsi a qualcuno (to approach someone) is the corresponding reflexive form, which is used to express getting closer to someone or something. Conjugations of avvicinarsi begin with mi avvicino, ti avvicini, si avvicina, etc.

Etymology: avvicinare comes from the Latin vicinus, meaning “near” or “neighbor,” with the prefix ad-, yielding a sense of bringing nearer. The word shares cognates with other Romance languages, such as Spanish acercar or French rapprocher.

Usage: Avvicina is common in everyday Italian for physical proximity as well as metaphorical closeness, such as approaching a goal, a point in a discussion, or a relationship. In narrative or dialogue, it can describe a character moving closer or someone drawing nearer to an idea or audience.

See also: avvicinare, avvicinarsi, avvicinamento, avvicinato.