Translation guide
Expresses that something is located near the speaker, listener, or a reference point. Japanese uses spatial adjectives, nouns, and verbs, with the choice depending on what is being described and the level of formality.
To say that something is located a short distance away, often within sight or easy reach.
An i-adjective meaning 'close' or 'near'. Used for both physical and abstract proximity. Can directly modify a noun or be used in a sentence with が/は.
The station is close by from here.
Let's play at the nearby park.
A noun meaning 'nearby' or 'in the vicinity'. Often used with に to indicate location, or as 近くの + noun to mean 'a nearby ~'.
Is there a convenience store close by?
Let's meet at a nearby cafe.
Emphasizes very close proximity, like 'right nearby' or 'just around the corner'.
The post office is right close by.
Means 'close at hand' or 'within easy reach'. Often used for objects that are conveniently nearby.
I repaired it with tools that were close by.
To indicate that something is near the person you are speaking to.
To describe an action happening nearby or to say that something exists in the immediate area.
To express that an event is imminent or will happen shortly.
近い is an adjective and describes a state of being close. 近く is a noun meaning 'the vicinity' and is often used with particles like に or の. Use 近い to say 'X is close', and 近くに to say 'in the nearby area'.
English 'close by' often functions as an adverbial phrase. In Japanese, you usually need to choose between an adjective (近い) or a noun+particle (近くに) depending on the sentence structure. A direct word-for-word translation will sound unnatural.
Is there a bank close by?
She stood close by, watching.
Completion is close by.
The exam is close by.