Preposition "hacia" in Spanish (towards/around) - general use

Learn about preposition "hacia" in Spanish

The basic and general uses of the Spanish preposition "hacia" express "towards" or "around [time]

Hacia: towards

We use hacia when we talk about a destination to say in what direction someone is going. 

Here are some examples:

Este tren va hacia Burgos.This train goes towards Burgos. (in that direction)

El hombre está caminando hacia la iglesia.The man is walking towards the church. (in that direction)

Los niños corren hacia sus padres.The boys are running towards their parents.

Note on similarity with a and para:

This use of hacia is very similar to "a" or "para", but "hacia" implies the direction towards something/someone goes without necessarily implying that that is the final destination. However with "a" and "para" we understand not only that it's going in that direction but that it is also its final destination. 

Although hacia is mainly used with verbs that indicate movement (ir hacia..., caminar hacia... correr hacia...), you can also use hacia with other verbs that don't express movement, for example: mirar hacia... (to look at/towards [something]. 

Hacia: around [timewise]

Hacia used with time can mean "around" a certain time, for example:

La reunión va a ser hacia las nueve.The meeting is going to be at around nine.

Quiero estos documentos hacia mediodía.I want these documents at around midday.

Marta va a llegar hacia la una y media.Marta is going to arrive at around half past one.

Note that if we are saying at around a certain time, you need the article "la/las". 

This usage of hacia is the same as the preposition sobre, which also expresses "around" [time].

See also:

Here is a list of prepositions: 

Spanish prepositions

 

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Examples and resources

Este tren va hacia Burgos.This train goes towards Burgos. (in that direction)
El hombre está caminando hacia la iglesia.The man is walking towards the church. (in that direction)
La reunión va a ser hacia las nueve.The meeting is going to be at around nine.
Quiero estos documentos hacia mediodía.I want these documents at around midday.
Marta va a llegar hacia la una y media.Marta is going to arrive at around half past one.
Estoy mirando hacia las montañas. I'm looking at [towards] the mountains. (in that direction)
Los niños corren hacia sus padres.The boys are running towards their parents.
I'll be right with you...