Alejarse vs. apartarse
While both alejarse and apartarse can be translated as "to move away", they describe different types of movement. The key is in their roots: alejarse comes from "lejos" (far) and focuses on distance, whereas apartarse implies moving "to the side" or separating oneself from an obstruction or group.
Alejarse
B1Derived from the word "lejos" (far), alejarse means to go further away, increasing the physical or metaphorical distance between the subject and a specific point. It is used when someone or something recedes into the distance or withdraws emotionally.
El barco comenzó a alejarse del puerto lentamente.
(The ship began to move away from the port slowly.)
No te oigo bien si vuelves a alejarse del micrófono.
(I cannot hear you well if you move away from the microphone again.)
Necesito tomar vacaciones y alejarme de todo este estrés.
(I need to take a vacation and get away from all this stress.)
Vimos el coche alejarse hasta que desapareció en el horizonte.
(We watched the car drive away until it disappeared into the horizon.)
Con el paso de los años, los amigos empezaron a alejarse.
(Over the years, the friends started to grow apart.)
Apartarse
B2Apartarse means to move aside, to step out of the way, or to separate oneself from something. It is often used when clearing a path, removing an obstruction, or deliberately withdrawing from a group or influence.
Tuvimos que apartarse para dejar pasar a la ambulancia.
(We had to move out of the way to let the ambulance pass.)
Ella decidió apartarse del grupo para hacer una llamada.
(She decided to step away from the group to make a call.)
Por favor, deben apartarse de las puertas del tren.
(Please, you must stand clear of the train doors.)
Es difícil apartarse de las malas costumbres.
(It is difficult to break away from bad habits.)
El caballero se movió para apartarse del charco.
(The gentleman moved to step aside from the puddle.)
Summary
Use alejarse when the focus is on increasing distance (going far away). Use apartarse when the focus is on stepping aside, clearing a path, or separating from a specific spot (getting out of the way).