Translation guide
Expresses the idea of being physically beside someone, taking their side in a conflict, or being on their team. Japanese uses different words for physical position, support, and group affiliation.
Being physically next to someone or something.
General word for 'side' or 'beside'. Used for physical position.
彼は私の横に座った。
He sat beside me.
Next to, adjacent. Often implies immediate proximity.
Please stand next to me.
Near, by one's side. Conveys closeness, often emotional.
Thank you for always being by my side.
Supporting one person over another in a dispute.
To side with, to take someone's side. 味方 means ally or supporter.
I'll take his side.
Literally 'to hold someone's shoulder', meaning to support or side with them. Slightly colloquial.
She always takes her younger brother's side.
To take the side of, to align with. 側 (がわ) means side in the sense of faction.
Whose side are you on?
Belonging to the same side in a game, competition, or broader context.
A person's viewpoint or version of events.
横 (よこ) is the most general for 'beside'. 隣 (となり) implies immediate adjacency, often for things in a row. そば conveys emotional or physical closeness, not necessarily right next to.
Please put it beside (me).
Is the seat next to you free?
I want you to be by my side.
そば means physical or emotional nearness. To express 'taking someone's side' in a dispute, use 味方をする or 肩を持つ.
Let's fight on the same side.