acercamos

Acercamos is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb acercar, meaning to bring closer or to approach. It translates as “we bring (something) nearer” or “we approach.” The form is used with a direct object, for example, “Acercamos la mesa a la ventana” (We bring the table closer to the window).

Grammatical note: acercar is a regular -ar verb. The nosotros form in the present tense is acercamos, and it appears in declarative statements about current actions carried out by the speaker and others. The verb can take a variety of direct objects, including concrete items, spatial distances, or even abstract goals, as in “Acercamos nuestras metas” (We move our goals closer).

Etymology and related forms: acercar derives from a- plus cerca, the word meaning near, with a root related to cercar or cercanía in older Spanish usage. Related forms include acercarse (reflexive) meaning to approach in a sense that involves the subject’s movement toward something or someone, and acercamiento (the act of bringing nearer or approaching).

Usage notes: Acercamos is common in everyday speech and writing when describing actions that reduce distance, whether physical or figurative. It is often contrasted with alejar (to move away). For reflexive nuance, one may say nos acercamos (we approach or move closer to each other or to a goal).

See also: acercar, acercarse, acercamiento, aproximar, disminuir distancia.