cercar

Senses

1. 1.

   to fence, to enclose

   to surround an area with a fence or barrier

2. 2.

   to surround, to encircle

   to position oneself or something around a person, place, or thing

3. 3.

   to besiege

   to surround with military forces in order to capture or isolate

Examples

• "Vamos cercar o quintal para os cachorros não fugirem."

  We're going to fence the backyard so the dogs don't escape.

• "A polícia cercou o prédio onde o suspeito estava escondido."

  The police surrounded the building where the suspect was hiding.

• "É importante se cercar de pessoas positivas."

  It's important to surround yourself with positive people.

Usage

Common in both literal (physical barriers) and figurative contexts. The reflexive form "cercar-se de" means "to surround oneself with." Often used with prepositions "com" (with what) or "de" (of/with).