Spanish Phrase
Las puertas se están cerrando.
Meaning
The sentence means “The doors are closing.” It describes an action that is happening right now, often used as a warning or announcement that the doors will soon be shut.
When to use
Use it in public places like trains, elevators, or classrooms when you want to alert people that the doors are in the process of closing, or when you notice the doors moving shut yourself.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Laspuertasseestáncerrando
Definite article (Las)
Plural feminine article used before nouns like 'puertas' to specify 'the' doors.
Noun (puertas)
Feminine plural noun meaning 'doors'.
Reflexive pronoun (se)
Indicates that the action is happening to the subject itself; required with verbs like 'cerrar' in this passive‑like construction.
Estar (están)
Present tense of 'estar' used as the auxiliary for the progressive; agrees with the plural subject.
Gerund (cerrando)
Gerund form of 'cerrar' that, together with 'estar', creates the progressive 'are closing'.
🗨In Conversation
¡Apúrate! Las puertas se están cerrando.
Hurry up! The doors are closing.
¡Ya voy!
I'm coming!
✕Common Mistakes
Las puertas están cerrando.
Missing the reflexive pronoun; without 'se' the sentence sounds like someone is closing the doors intentionally.
Las puertas se está cerrando.
Verb agreement error; 'se está cerrando' is singular and does not match the plural subject 'las puertas'.
Cerrando las puertas.
Word order is acceptable but loses the idiomatic passive feel; native speakers prefer the reflexive construction.
↔Alternatives
Las puertas están cerrándose.
The doors are closing.
Se están cerrando las puertas.
The doors are closing.
Las puertas se van a cerrar.
The doors are going to close.
Las puertas están a punto de cerrarse.
The doors are about to close.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, announcements about doors closing are made in a clear, slightly formal tone, especially on public transport. Using the reflexive 'se' is the standard way to express that the doors are closing on their own, rather than someone actively closing them.