The Imperfect Tense of acercarse is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Me acercaba a la ventana para ver el atardecer. (I would approach the window to see the sunset.)

Acercarse is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the standard pattern for that verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Acercarse (to approach) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The imperfect tense of acercarse is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

To approach or get closer (physically): Por ejemplo, me acercaba a la puerta para escuchar mejor. (I was approaching the door to hear better.)

To get closer (figuratively): Por ejemplo, nos acercábamos al final del proyecto. (We were getting closer to the end of the project.)

To come near (in time): Por ejemplo, se acercaba la Navidad. (Christmas was approaching.)

To approach someone (socially): Por ejemplo, me acercaba a ella para hablar. (I was approaching her to talk.)

To get closer (emotionally): Por ejemplo, nos acercábamos más como amigos. (We were getting closer as friends.)

Examples

Examples of Acercarse in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando era niño, me acercaba a la ventana para ver la lluvia caer. (When I was a child, I would approach the window to watch the rain fall.)

Ella se acercaba a la barra para pedir otra cerveza. (She would approach the bar to order another beer.)

Nos acercábamos a la playa cada verano para disfrutar del sol y el mar. (We would approach the beach every summer to enjoy the sun and the sea.)

El perro se acercaba a mí cada vez que sacaba un bocadillo de mi bolsillo. (The dog would approach me whenever I took a snack out of my pocket.)

Siempre que me acercaba a la puerta, el guardia me pedía mi identificación. (Whenever I approached the door, the guard would ask for my ID.)

Mis amigos se acercaban a la barra de karaoke después de unas cuantas cervezas. (My friends would approach the karaoke bar after a few beers.)

El gato se acercaba sigilosamente a los pájaros en el patio. (The cat would stealthily approach the birds in the yard.)

Cuando me acercaba a la oficina, siempre saludaba a la recepcionista con una sonrisa. (When I approached the office, I would always greet the receptionist with a smile.)

Los manifestantes se acercaban al edificio del gobierno para expresar su descontento. (The protesters would approach the government building to express their discontent.)

Cada vez que me acercaba a la barra, el bartender ya tenía mi bebida lista. (Whenever I approached the bar, the bartender already had my drink ready.)

Mi hermana se acercaba a la mesa de postres en cada fiesta familiar. (My sister would approach the dessert table at every family party.)

Los turistas se acercaban al guía para escuchar mejor las explicaciones sobre los monumentos. (The tourists would approach the guide to better hear the explanations about the monuments.)

Cuando me acercaba a la puerta de entrada, el sistema de seguridad reconocía mi rostro. (When I approached the entrance door, the security system would recognize my face.)

Los niños se acercaban al payaso con timidez durante la fiesta infantil. (The children would shyly approach the clown during the kids’ party.)

Mi abuela se acercaba al altar para encender una vela en la iglesia. (My grandmother would approach the altar to light a candle in the church.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Acercarse (to approach) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.