The verb cerrar means "to close" or "to shut". It is a straightforward e→ie stem-changing verb in the present and subjunctive. Being an -ar verb, it is otherwise completely regular — no changes in the preterite, gerund, or participle.
Cerrar is the direct opposite of abrir ("to open") and is used for physical objects (doors, windows, boxes), businesses, and figurative closings such as deals or accounts.
Present Indicative
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cierro |
| tú | cierras |
| él / ella / usted | cierra |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerramos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cierran |
La tienda cierra a las nueve.
The store closes at nine.
Preterite
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cerré |
| tú | cerraste |
| él / ella / usted | cerró |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerramos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cerraron |
Cerré bien la puerta antes de salir.
I closed the door tightly before leaving.
Imperfect
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cerraba |
| tú | cerrabas |
| él / ella / usted | cerraba |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerrábamos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cerraban |
Future
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cerraré |
| tú | cerrarás |
| él / ella / usted | cerrará |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerraremos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cerrarán |
Conditional
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cerraría |
| tú | cerrarías |
| él / ella / usted | cerraría |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerraríamos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cerrarían |
Present Subjunctive
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cierre |
| tú | cierres |
| él / ella / usted | cierre |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerremos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cierren |
Necesito que cierres la ventana, por favor.
I need you to close the window, please.
Imperfect Subjunctive
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | cerrara |
| tú | cerraras |
| él / ella / usted | cerrara |
| nosotros / nosotras | cerráramos |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | cerraran |
Imperative
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| tú (affirmative) | cierra |
| tú (negative) | no cierres |
| usted | cierre |
| nosotros | cerremos |
| ustedes | cierren |
Cierra los ojos y respira profundo.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Non-Finite Forms
| Form | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Infinitive | cerrar |
| Gerund | cerrando |
| Past Participle | cerrado |
Common Uses and Expressions
- Cerrar un trato — to close a deal
- Cerrar con llave — to lock (literally: close with key)
- Cerrar la boca — to shut up
- En un abrir y cerrar de ojos — in the blink of an eye
El banco está cerrado los domingos.
The bank is closed on Sundays.
Por favor, cierra la puerta con llave al salir.
Please lock the door on your way out.
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