näherkommen

Näherkommen is a German verb meaning to come closer or to draw nearer. It can refer to physical proximity as well as to figurative closeness, such as a growing personal relationship, closer political ties, or an approach to a goal. The term is commonly used with reflexive or mutual forms, for example sich näherkommen or einander näherkommen, to indicate that two parties are approaching each other.

Etymology and usage notes: the word combines the adjective nähe (nearness) with kommen (to come). It is used in contexts where distance, whether spatial or abstract, is decreasing. In everyday language, sich näherkommen is frequent when describing two people getting closer emotionally or in friendship, while einander näherkommen emphasizes a mutual rise in closeness. The expression can be used literally, as in two people moving toward one another, or figuratively, as when relations or agreements improve.

Grammar and forms: nähern is generally treated as a separable or compound verb with the shared meaning of approaching. In the standard form, present tense examples include ich komme näher, du kommst näher, er kommt näher, wir kommen näher, ihr kommt näher, sie/Sie kommen näher. The reflexive or reciprocal forms are common: sich näherkommen or einander näherkommen. In the perfect tense, forms like ich bin nähergekommen or sie sind sich nähergekommen are used.

Examples:

- Sie kommen sich allmählich näher.

- Die beiden Länder kommen politisch näher.

- Sie sind sich nähergekommen.

Related concepts include sich annähern and näher rücken, which convey related ideas of approaching or drawing nearer.