Translation guide
The English word 'nearby' describes something that is close in distance. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, adverbs, and phrases depending on whether you are describing a location, a thing, or an action. The most common and versatile options are 近く (chikaku) and 近い (chikai).
Is there a convenience store nearby?
The station is nearby.
Use when saying that a place is near or not far away.
A noun meaning 'nearby place' or 'vicinity'. Often used with に (ni) to indicate location. Very common and natural.
There is a convenience store nearby.
An i-adjective meaning 'close' or 'near'. Used to describe the proximity of something. Can directly modify nouns.
Emphasizes that something is very close, 'right nearby'. すぐ means 'immediately' or 'right'.
There's a post office right nearby.
A more formal noun meaning 'neighborhood' or 'vicinity'. Often used in written language or formal speech.
Use when saying that an object or person is near, not far away.
The standard adjective for 'close' or 'near'. Can be used for physical distance or abstract closeness.
His house is near my house.
Used as a pre-noun modifier meaning 'nearby'. 近く (chikaku) + の (no) + noun.
I bought it at a nearby store.
Means 'near at hand' or 'within easy reach'. Often used for objects that are conveniently close.
Use when asking about the proximity of a place or thing.
A polite pattern to ask if something exists nearby. Replace 〜 with the thing you're looking for.
Is there a bank nearby?
Asks if a specific place is near. Replace 〜 with the place.
Is the station nearby?
Use when describing an action that takes place close by.
Used with action verbs to mean 'nearby' or 'in the vicinity'. で marks the location of an action.
They are doing construction nearby.
There was a loud noise nearby.
近く (chikaku) is a noun meaning 'nearby place', while 近い (chikai) is an adjective meaning 'close'. Use 近くに to say 'in the vicinity', and 近い to describe something as being close. For example, 近くに公園がある (There is a park nearby) vs 公園は近い (The park is close).
English 'nearby' is often used as an adverb or adjective. Japanese does not have a direct preposition equivalent. Instead, use phrases like 〜の近くに (near X) or 〜に近い (close to X). Avoid literal translations like 'nearby the station'.
Let's play at the nearby park.
駅はここから近いです。
The station is near here.
I'm looking for a nearby restaurant.
この近辺には学校が多い。
There are many schools in this vicinity.
I plan to move in the near future.
手近なものを使って修理した。
I repaired it using things that were nearby.