vicino
/viˈt͡ʃi.no/
The English phrase "close by" is translated into Italian as vicino.
vicino is used to describe a person or thing that is a short distance away. It can function as an adjective meaning "close" or as an adverb meaning "nearby" or "close by" when no noun follows it. When you want to say "close to" a specific object or place, you should almost always follow vicino with the preposition a, forming the phrase vicino a.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, vicino must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use vicina for feminine singular nouns, vicini for masculine or mixed-gender plural nouns and vicine for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /viˈtʃi.no/.
Did you know?
- While vicino describes physical distance, Italians also use it to describe emotional closeness, such as saying they feel vicino to someone during a time of grief.
- The word vicino shares its roots with the Latin word vīcīnus, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'vicinity'.
- The word vicino is also the Italian noun for 'neighbor', meaning the person who lives 'close by'.
Examples in context
- Vivevamo vicino al mare.We lived close by the sea.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of vicino.Tatoeba #7711172 by Guybrush88, translation #262929 by CK
- Scusi, dov'è la stazione ferroviaria più vicina?Excuse me, where is the nearest train station?
- Sai se c'è un supermercato vicino?Do you know if there's a supermarket close by?
- C'è un parcheggio qui vicino?Is there a parking lot nearby?
- È possibile trovare un caffè a due passi da qui?Is it possible to find a café very close by here?
- La mia casa è vicina al mare.My house is close to the sea.
- Scusate, avete un bancomat nelle vicinanze?Excuse me, do you have an ATM in the vicinity?
- Il bar è molto vicino.The bar is very close by.
- Ho parcheggiato l'auto vicino.I parked the car close by.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are looking for a place to eat.
- AlessandroHai fame, Giulia?Are you hungry, Giulia?
- GiuliaSì, c'è un ristorante vicino?Yes, is there a restaurant close by?
- AlessandroSì, ce n'è uno proprio qui vicino.Yes, there is one right close by here.
- GiuliaPerfetto, andiamo!Perfect, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vicino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vicino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
