近
near, early, akin, tantamount
Readings
On'yomi
- キン
- コン
Kun'yomi
- ちか.い
Nanori
- おう
- おお
- この
Meaning
近 centers on closeness in space, time, or relationship: being near, early, akin, or tantamount to something else.
Most common words using 近
24 of 288- 最近さいきんN5
recently; lately; these days; nowadays; right now
- 近くちかくN4
near; neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
- 近いちかいN5
near; close; short (distance)
- 近所きんじょN4
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
- 近づくちかづくN3
to approach; to draw near; to get close
- 付近ふきんN2
neighborhood; neighbourhood; vicinity; environs; surrounding area; district
- 近年きんねん
recent years
- 接近せっきんN2
getting closer; drawing nearer; approaching
- 近代きんだいN3
present day; modern times; recent times
- 身近みぢかN2
near oneself; close to one; familiar
- 近隣きんりんN1
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
- 近づけるちかづけるN2
to bring near; to bring close; to let go near
- 近畿きんき
Kinki (region around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara)
- 間近まぢかN1
near; close (to); nearby
- 近寄るちかよるN2
to approach; to draw near
- 近親きんしん
near relative
- 近辺きんぺん
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
- 近頃ちかごろN3
lately; recently; nowadays
- 近郊きんこうN2
outskirts; environs (of a city); surrounding area; surroundings
- 近づきちかづき
acquaintance; making someone's acquaintance
- 側近そっきんN1
close aide (of a powerful person); close associate; entourage; attendant; retainer
- 近道ちかみちN3
shorter way; shortcut
- 近々ちかぢかN2
soon; before long; shortly; in the near future
- 近衛このえ
Imperial Guards
Study
Etymology
近 combines the movement radical 辶 with 斤, which likely contributes the sound. The idea is moving closer or being near.
Meaning mnemonic
The movement radical 辶 suggests walking, and 斤 looks like an axe. Picture walking with an axe to get near something: the closer you get, the nearer you are.
Reading mnemonic
For キン, imagine a king standing near his throne: king -> キン, and he is always close by.