Japanese word

隣

Pronunciation

Romajitonari

Meaning

  • nounnext to ___

Example

母の隣に座ります。haha no tonari ni suwa ri ma su

I sit next to my mother.

Illustration for 隣 (next to ___)

More examples

私は隣の人に道を尋ねます。watashi wa tonari no hito ni michi o tazu ne ma su

I ask the person next to me for directions.

Core concept

It identifies what is next to a reference point and can describe both an adjoining place and the person who occupies it.

Common phrases

  • 隣の人tonari no hito

    the person next door

  • 隣に座るtonari ni suwa ru

    sit next to ___

  • 隣に住むtonari ni su mu

    live next door

  • 隣の席tonari no seki

    the adjacent seat

Similar words

横yoko: The area or position at the side of a person or thing.
そばsoba: A place or position near a person or thing, without requiring direct adjacency.

Definition in Japanese

基準となる場所や人のすぐ横にある所。また、そこに住む人やいる人。ki jun to na ru ba sho ya hito no su gu yoko ni a ru tokoro ma ta so ko ni su mu hito ya i ru hito

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 隣 (tonari) is historically connected with となる (tonaru, "to be next to"), expressing the idea of being beside something.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often associate "neighbor" with a person, but 隣 (tonari) can also name the adjoining place itself, such as the next house or seat.

Other meanings

  • next doornoun
  • neighbornoun

Word lists with this word