Japanese Conversation · Level 22
90 words
Japanese word
近く
Pronunciation
Romajichikaku
Meaning
- nounnear, nearby
Example
公園は駅の近くです。kō en wa eki no chika ku de su
The park is near the station.
More examples
家の近くで遊びます。ie no chika ku de aso bi ma su
I play near my house.
私は学校の近くに住んでいます。watashi wa gak kō no chika ku ni su n de i ma su
I live near the school.
Core concept
近く (chikaku) identifies a place as close to a reference point and can extend to the area around that place.
Common phrases
駅の近くeki no chika ku
near the station
近くに住むchika ku ni su mu
live nearby
近くの店chika ku no mise
a nearby store
Similar words
そばsoba: A place or area very close to a person or thing.
近所kinjo: A neighborhood or area near a familiar place.
Definition in Japanese
ある場所や物を基準にして、距離が短い所。また、その周辺の地域。a ru ba sho ya mono o ki jun ni shi te kyo ri ga mijika i tokoro ma ta so no shū hen no chi iki
Word origin
近く (chikaku) comes from 近い (chikai, "near") with its final い (i) changed to く (ku), a form used as a noun for a nearby place or surrounding area.
Usage tips
- When a speaker says 近く (chikaku) without naming a landmark, the reference point usually comes from the shared conversation or visible surroundings.