Differences and similarities between 近寄る, 近づく, and 迫る


I've come across these three different words, 近寄{ちかよ}る, 近づ{ちか}く and 迫{せま}る,
which seemingly have similar [definitions on the
dictionary](https://jisho.org/search/to%20draw%20near). Namely, in the sense
of approaching, or drawing near.

I was wondering if someone could give some good insight on differences and
similarities between them.




近寄る and 近づく are closer in meaning than 迫る.

近寄る means quite literally to approach. It can also meaning to get close to
someone emotionally. Because 寄る means to come or approach physically, its uses
basically stop there. On a personal level, I've been competent in Japanese for
10 years and I've only ever seen this word written, not spoken. Even written
it's not that common.

近づく has several more layers however. While also meaning to approach physically
as well as emotionally, it is also used to describe approaching dates and
events. It can also be used to describe approaching an ideal certain
circumstance.

迫る on the other hand is used to describe something approaching in an impending
sense. This can be used to describe something physical (an army, for example)
or otherwise (dates, events, calamity, etc.).

Definitions in Japanese can be found here:

[近寄る](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%91%E5%AF%84%E3%82%8B/)  
[近づく](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%91%E4%BB%98%E3%81%8F/#jn-141203)  
[迫る](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%AB%E3%82%8B_%28%E3%81%9B%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B%29/#jn-125115)




近寄る and 近づく are closer in meaning than 迫る.

近寄る means quite literally to approach. It can also meaning to get close to
someone emotionally. Because 寄る means to come or approach physically, its uses
basically stop there. On a personal level, I've been competent in Japanese for
10 years and I've only ever seen this word written, not spoken. Even written
it's not that common.

近づく has several more layers however. While also meaning to approach physically
as well as emotionally, it is also used to describe approaching dates and
events. It can also be used to describe approaching an ideal certain
circumstance.

迫る on the other hand is used to describe something approaching in an impending
sense. This can be used to describe something physical (an army, for example)
or otherwise (dates, events, calamity, etc.).

Definitions in Japanese can be found here:

[近寄る](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%91%E5%AF%84%E3%82%8B/)  
[近づく](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%91%E4%BB%98%E3%81%8F/#jn-141203)  
[迫る](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E8%BF%AB%E3%82%8B_%28%E3%81%9B%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B%29/#jn-125115)

