closer
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closer
A directional adverb that expresses movement toward the speaker or a specific point. It means 'closer' or 'over here'.
Komm doch bitte mal heran, damit ich es dir zeigen kann.
Please come a little closer so I can show it to you.
get to
A fixed expression used as a prompt to begin or tackle a task or piece of work.
So, genug geredet, jetzt aber heran an die Arbeit!
All right, enough talking—now let's get to work!
'Heran' (closer) is a contraction of 'hier' (here) and 'an' (at/to). So it always describes movement toward a specific point or toward the speaker.
Rückt bitte alle etwas näher heran, damit wir ein Foto machen können.
Please all move a little closer so we can take a photo.
The syllable 'heran-' functions as a separable prefix for many verbs. It always adds the meaning 'to approach a thing or person', as in 'herankommen' (to come closer), 'heranwachsen' (to grow up), or 'sich herantasten' (to feel one's way toward something).
Langsam tastete er sich an die Lösung des Problems heran.
Slowly, he felt his way toward the solution to the problem.
The expression 'heran an + accusative' is an informal call to start doing something. It expresses motivation and eagerness to take action.
Die Pause ist vorbei, jetzt aber schnell heran an die Arbeit!
The break is over—now let's quickly get to work!
here / ago
Her indicates movement toward the speaker or a reference point. Heran also describes this direction, but additionally emphasizes that someone or something is coming closer to the speaker or the point. Use her for the general direction and heran when getting closer is important.
Komm bitte heran, damit du die Karte auf dem Tisch lesen kannst.
Come closer, please, so you can read the map on the table.
Komm bitte her, damit ich dir die Karte zeigen kann.
Come here, please, so I can show you the map.
