When you learn Italian, you’ll find avvicinare is a really useful verb. It means 'to bring closer,' and you'll often use it when talking about physical distance or making things more accessible. For example, you might say 'avvicinare la sedia al tavolo' (to bring the chair closer to the table). This verb can also be used in a figurative sense, like 'avvicinare due idee' (to bring two ideas closer together), meaning to reconcile or find common ground.
avvicinare in 30 Sekunden
- bring closer
- move nearer
- approach
- Italian Word
- avvicinare (verb)
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- To bring closer to something.
§ Using 'Avvicinare' in Everyday Situations
The verb 'avvicinare' is really useful in Italian. It means to bring something closer, or to approach something. You'll hear it in many contexts, from casual conversations to more formal settings like work or the news. It's a B1 verb, so it's one you should definitely know well to sound more natural.
§ At Work
In a professional environment, 'avvicinare' can refer to physically moving objects closer, or metaphorically bringing ideas or people closer together. Think about team meetings, project management, or even just arranging your workspace.
- Moving objects:
Puoi avvicinare la sedia al tavolo? (Can you bring the chair closer to the table?)
- Bringing people or ideas together:
Dobbiamo avvicinare le nostre posizioni per trovare un accordo. (We need to bring our positions closer to find an agreement.)
Here, 'avvicinare' is used in the sense of finding common ground or compromising.
§ At School
In an academic setting, 'avvicinare' can describe students approaching a topic, a teacher moving closer to a student, or even making a subject more accessible. It's all about reducing distance, whether physical or conceptual.
- Approaching a topic or subject:
Il professore ha cercato di avvicinare la materia agli studenti con esempi pratici. (The professor tried to make the subject more accessible to the students with practical examples.)
This means making the subject easier to understand or relate to.
- Physically coming closer:
Lo studente si è avvicinato alla cattedra per fare una domanda. (The student approached the desk to ask a question.)
Here, 'avvicinarsi' is used reflexively because the student is moving themselves closer.
§ In the News
News reports often use 'avvicinare' to describe events, people, or entities coming closer together, whether literally or figuratively. This could be in terms of political negotiations, geographic proximity, or even a deadline getting nearer.
- Political or diplomatic movements:
I due paesi stanno cercando di avvicinare le loro posizioni su questioni economiche. (The two countries are trying to bring their positions closer on economic issues.)
Similar to the work example, this implies negotiation and compromise.
- Geographic proximity or timing:
La nave si sta avvicinando al porto. (The ship is approaching the port.)
This is a literal movement towards a destination.
Le elezioni si stanno avvicinando rapidamente. (The elections are rapidly approaching.)
Here, 'avvicinarsi' refers to a point in time getting nearer.
§ Summary
As you can see, 'avvicinare' is a versatile verb. Whether you're talking about physical movement, bringing people or ideas together, or even time, this word will come in handy. Practice using it in various contexts to make it a natural part of your Italian vocabulary. Don't forget the reflexive form 'avvicinarsi' when the subject is doing the approaching themselves!
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenAvvicinare is a regular -are verb.
Here's the present tense conjugation:
- io avvicino (I bring closer)
- tu avvicini (you bring closer - informal singular)
- lui/lei avvicina (he/she brings closer)
- noi avviciniamo (we bring closer)
- voi avvicinate (you bring closer - informal plural)
- loro avvicinano (they bring closer)
Yes, it can! When used reflexively as avvicinarsi, it means 'to approach' or 'to get closer'. For example, 'Mi avvicino alla porta' means 'I approach the door'.
Avvicinare implies actively bringing something closer or making something closer. Andare vicino simply means 'to go near' or 'to be near', without the same active sense of closing a distance.
You can use it like this:
'Dobbiamo avvicinare le sedie al tavolo.' (We need to bring the chairs closer to the table.)
'Lui ha provato ad avvicinare i due gruppi.' (He tried to bring the two groups closer.)
The past participle of avvicinare is avvicinato.
A common expression is 'avvicinare i cuori' which means 'to bring hearts closer', often in a metaphorical sense of making people feel more connected.
The opposite of avvicinare (to bring closer) is allontanare (to move away or to distance).
Yes, it can. For example, 'L'estate si avvicina.' (Summer is approaching/getting closer.)
Not always. While it often refers to physical proximity, it can also be used metaphorically, like bringing ideas or people closer together (e.g., 'avvicinare le idee' - to bring ideas closer, to reconcile them).
When referring to bringing something closer 'to' something else, you often use the preposition 'a'. For example, 'avvicinare qualcosa a qualcos'altro' (to bring something closer to something else).
Teste dich selbst 24 Fragen
Which word means to 'bring closer'?
The Italian verb 'avvicinare' means to bring something closer.
Choose the correct Italian word for 'to bring closer'.
'Avvicinare' is the correct verb for 'to bring closer' in Italian.
Which of these verbs means 'to bring closer'?
'Avvicinare' means to bring closer.
The word 'avvicinare' means 'to go far'.
No, 'avvicinare' means 'to bring closer'.
If you 'avvicinare' something, you move it away from you.
'Avvicinare' means to bring something closer, not move it away.
The verb 'avvicinare' is used when you want to make two things less distant.
Yes, 'avvicinare' means to reduce the distance between things or to bring them closer.
Write a sentence using 'avvicinare' to describe moving a chair closer to a table. (2-3 words)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Avvicino la sedia al tavolo.
Imagine you want to bring your friend closer to the group. Write a short sentence using 'avvicinare'. (2-4 words)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Avvicino l'amico al gruppo.
You are making a painting and want to bring two colors closer on the canvas. Write a simple sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Avvicino i colori.
Cosa avvicina la bambina?
Read this passage:
La bambina vuole giocare con il gatto. Avvicina la sua mano al gatto lentamente.
Cosa avvicina la bambina?
The passage says 'Avvicina la sua mano al gatto lentamente.', meaning she brings her hand closer to the cat.
The passage says 'Avvicina la sua mano al gatto lentamente.', meaning she brings her hand closer to the cat.
Cosa fa Giulia per leggere meglio?
Read this passage:
Per leggere meglio il libro, Giulia avvicina gli occhi alle pagine.
Cosa fa Giulia per leggere meglio?
The passage states 'Giulia avvicina gli occhi alle pagine', indicating she brings her eyes closer to the pages.
The passage states 'Giulia avvicina gli occhi alle pagine', indicating she brings her eyes closer to the pages.
Cosa avvicina il cameriere al cliente?
Read this passage:
Il cameriere vuole servire il caffè. Avvicina la tazza al cliente.
Cosa avvicina il cameriere al cliente?
The passage says 'Avvicina la tazza al cliente.', meaning he brings the cup closer to the customer.
The passage says 'Avvicina la tazza al cliente.', meaning he brings the cup closer to the customer.
Choose the best translation for 'avvicinare' in this sentence: 'La macchina si sta avvicinando al traguardo.'
'Avvicinare' means 'to bring closer' or 'to approach'. In this context, the car is getting closer to the finish line.
Which sentence uses 'avvicinare' correctly?
'Avvicinare' implies moving something physically closer to another object. Bringing a chair closer to a table is a correct usage.
What is the most appropriate synonym for 'avvicinare' when talking about reducing distance?
'Accorciare' can mean 'to shorten' or 'to reduce the distance', which is a similar concept to 'avvicinare' in some contexts. 'Allontanare' means 'to move away', 'mettere via' means 'to put away', and 'separare' means 'to separate'.
If you 'avvicini' a friend, you are moving further away from them.
To 'avvicinare' means to bring closer, so if you 'avvicini' a friend, you are moving closer to them, not further away.
You can use 'avvicinare' to talk about a boat approaching the shore.
'Avvicinare' is perfectly suitable for describing a boat getting closer to the shore, as it means 'to bring closer' or 'to approach'. For example: 'La barca si sta avvicinando alla riva.'
The verb 'avvicinare' is only used for physical objects.
While 'avvicinare' is often used for physical objects, it can also be used in more abstract senses, like 'avvicinare le persone' (to bring people closer together, emotionally or socially).
This sentence structure reflects a common way to express a company's strategic goal to align its offerings with evolving customer needs.
This arrangement creates a vivid image of someone approaching a dangerous edge, emphasizing both the action and the peril.
This sentence emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding and connection as a societal achievement.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'Avvicinare' is a versatile verb used to describe the action of making things or people come nearer to each other.
- bring closer
- move nearer
- approach
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr daily_life Wörter
a
A1to, at
abbandonare
B1To leave behind or give up something
abbastanza
B1Sufficiently or quite a bit.
abbigliamento
B1Clothing or attire.
abitare
A1to live, to reside
abitazione
A1A place where one lives; a home.
abito
A2clothing or a suit
abituale
B2Usual, customary, or habitual.
abitudine
B1A settled or regular tendency or practice.
accanto
A2next to or beside
