"cerca de" is a prepositional phrase in Spanish.
/ˈθeɾ.ka ðe/ (Castilian Spanish) /ˈsɛr.kə də/ (Latin American Spanish)
The phrase "cerca de" means "near" or "close to" and is often used to indicate proximity in physical space or time. It can refer to both literal and figurative closeness. The frequency of use is quite high in both oral and written contexts, as it is essential in everyday conversations and descriptions.
Vivo cerca de la playa.
(I live near the beach.)
La reunión es cerca de las tres.
(The meeting is around three o'clock.)
Hay un restaurante cerca de aquí.
(There is a restaurant close to here.)
"cerca de" is frequently used in various idiomatic expressions, illustrating its figurative meanings and associations in different contexts.
Cerca de la verdad
(Close to the truth)
La declaración no era exacta, pero estaba cerca de la verdad.
(The statement was not accurate, but it was close to the truth.)
Cerca de casa
(Near home)
Siempre compro mis víveres cerca de casa.
(I always buy my groceries near home.)
Cerca de los hechos
(Close to the facts)
Es importante mantenerse cerca de los hechos antes de formar una opinión.
(It's important to stay close to the facts before forming an opinion.)
Cerca de la cima
(Near the top)
Estamos cerca de la cima de la montaña.
(We are near the top of the mountain.)
Cerca de un acuerdo
(Close to an agreement)
Ambos partidos están cerca de un acuerdo.
(Both parties are close to an agreement.)
The word "cerca" comes from the Latin *circā, which means "around" or "about". "De" is a preposition in Spanish that has a broad range of meanings, including "of", "from", and "about". Together, "cerca de" conveys the notion of being around or close in relation to something.
This comprehensive breakdown provides you with valuable insights into the phrase "cerca de" and its usage in the Spanish language.