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).
近くにコンビニはありますか？
Is there a convenience store nearby?
駅は近いです。
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.
近くにコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store nearby.
近くの公園で遊びましょう。
Let's play at the nearby park.
An i-adjective meaning 'close' or 'near'. Used to describe the proximity of something. Can directly modify nouns.
駅はここから近いです。
The station is near here.
近いレストランを探しています。
I'm looking for a nearby restaurant.
Emphasizes that something is very close, 'right nearby'. すぐ means 'immediately' or 'right'.
すぐ近くに郵便局があります。
There's a post office right nearby.
A more formal noun meaning 'neighborhood' or 'vicinity'. Often used in written language or formal speech.
この近辺には学校が多い。
There are many schools in this vicinity.
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.
彼の家は私の家に近い。
His house is near my house.
近い将来、引っ越す予定です。
I plan to move in the near future.
Used as a pre-noun modifier meaning 'nearby'. 近く (chikaku) + の (no) + noun.
近くの店で買いました。
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.
この近くに銀行はありますか？
Is there a bank nearby?
Asks if a specific place is near. Replace 〜 with the place.
駅は近いですか？
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.
近くで工事をしています。
They are doing construction nearby.
近くで大きな音がした。
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'.
I repaired it using things that were nearby.