Aproximar-se (To Approach, Come Closer)

First things first: aproximar-se is a reflexive verb. This means the action reflects back onto the subject. You are technically "approaching yourself" to something. That is why we always need those little reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos. Without them, the verb changes meaning slightly or just sounds broken. Second, this verb is a bit of a socialite; it rarely travels alone. It almost always brings its best friend, the preposition de. When you get closer to something, you se aproxima DE something. If you forget the de, your sentence will feel like it’s missing a limb. Think of de as the glue that connects you to your destination. Also, remember that de likes to merge with articles. So, de + o becomes do, and de + a becomes da. It is like a grammar transformer.

1. 1Using aproximar-se follows a clear, logical sequence. Follow these steps to build your sentences:
2. 2Choose your subject (Eu, Tu, Você, etc.).
3. 3Pick the matching reflexive pronoun: me, te, se, nos.
4. 4Conjugate aproximar like a regular -ar verb in the present tense.
5. 5Add the mandatory preposition de.
6. 6Combine de with the article of the object if necessary.
7. 7Here is a quick cheat sheet for the present tense:
8. 8Eu me aproximo de (I approach...)
9. 9Tu te aproximas de (You approach...)
10. 10Ele/Ela/Você se aproxima de (He/She/You approach...)
11. 11Nós nos aproximamos de (We approach...)
12. 12Eles/Elas/Vocês se aproximam de (They/You all approach...)
13. 13In Portugal, you might hear aproximo-me (pronoun after). In Brazil, eu me aproximo (pronoun before) is the king of the streets. Both are correct, so don't sweat the small stuff!

You will use aproximar-se in three main "zones" of life.

• Physical Distance: Use it when you are literally moving toward a place or object. "I am approaching the entrance" becomes Estou me aproximando da entrada. Use it at the airport or when finding a table at a cafe.
• Time and Events: This is for things that don't have legs but are still coming. The holidays, the exam, or even your birthday. O natal se aproxima (Christmas is approaching). It creates a sense of anticipation.
• Relationships and Abstract Concepts: Use it when you want to get to know someone better. Quero me aproximar dela (I want to get closer to her). It also works for goals. Você está se aproximando do seu objetivo (You are getting closer to your goal). It’s like a digital zoom for your life.

Don't confuse aproximar-se with chegar (to arrive). Aproximar-se is about the journey and the reduction of distance. Chegar is about the final destination. If you are already at the door, you have chegado. If you are still ten steps away, you are se aproximando.

Also, avoid using it when you mean "to bring two things together" in a physical, non-reflexive way. If you are moving a chair closer to a table, you just use aproximar without the se. For example: Vou aproximar a cadeira da mesa. Here, the chair isn't moving itself; you are moving it. Using the se here would imply the chair has a mind of its own. Unless you live in a haunted house, keep the se for people and moving entities!

• The Ghosting Pronoun: Many learners say Eu aproximo da casa. This sounds like you are missing a piece of your soul. Always include me, te, or se.
• The Forgotten Preposition: Saying Ele se aproxima o carro is wrong. You need the de. Correct: Ele se aproxima do carro.
• Confusing with 'Perto': Learners often try to say aproximar-se perto. This is redundant. Aproximar-se already implies getting perto (near). It’s like saying "I'm approaching nearly."
• Wrong Contractions: Don't forget that de + esta = desta. Ele se aproxima desta mesa (He approaches this table). Keep those contractions sharp or you'll sound like a robot from the 90s.

• Aproximar-se vs Afastar-se: These are polar opposites. Aproximar-se is the "hello," and afastar-se (to move away) is the "goodbye." Both use de.
• Aproximar-se vs Vir: Vir is simple movement toward the speaker. Aproximar-se is more specific about the gap closing.
• Aproximar-se vs Chegar perto: These are very similar! Chegar perto is more informal and common in daily speech. Aproximar-se is slightly more elegant. Use chegar perto with friends at a barbecue and aproximar-se in a job interview or a written report.