Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary
Cerrar: to close, to shut
cerrar
Pronunciation: seh-RRAHR (stress the capital letters)
Cerrar means “to close, to shut” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to close, to shut
- How to say it: seh-RRAHR
- Present: yo cierro, tú cierras
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “cerrar” means and how to use it
Cerrar means “to close” or “to shut” a door, a store, or an account.
How to conjugate “cerrar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | cierro | I |
| tú | cierras | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | cierra | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | cerramos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | cierran | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo cerré, él cerró | I / he or she |
| Past participle | cerrado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Cierro la puerta con llave.I lock the door.
- La tienda cierra a las nueve.The store closes at nine.
- ¿Puedes cerrar la ventana?Can you close the window?
Usage tip
Cerrar changes its stem: cierro, cierras, cierra. “Cerrar con llave” means to lock.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to close, to shut” in Spanish?
“to close, to shut” in Spanish is “cerrar.” It is pronounced seh-RRAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “cerrar”?
Say seh-RRAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “cerrar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “cerré” and “él” is “cerró.” The past participle is “cerrado.”
Practice “cerrar” for free
Reading helps, but practice makes it stick. Try short exercises with instant feedback.