Refers to a person who serves closely, especially in historical or formal contexts; often used for a lord's attendant.
Please sit near me.
I will watch over you from nearby.
He served as an attendant to the shogun.
servant; attendant
Kanji spelling using 側; less common but seen.
Kanji spelling using 傍; less common but seen.
Honorific prefix お + そば (side, vicinity). The base そば is a native Japanese word.