vicino a
/viˈt͡ʃi.no a/word by word
The Italian phrase for "close to" is vicino a.
vicino a is used to indicate that someone or something is near another person or object. This applies to both physical proximity, such as being near a building and figurative closeness, such as being emotionally close to a person or being close to achieving a goal.
Meaning: near (prep)
Which one should you use?
While vicino a covers both physical and figurative distance, you can use the superlative form vicinissimo if you want to specifically express that something is "very close".
How does it change in a sentence?
When vicino a is used as an adjective meaning "close" or "nearby", it is followed by the preposition a to connect to an object. However, if you use vicino as an adverb without a following object, the preposition a is dropped.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /viˈtʃi.no a/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word vicino can function as a noun meaning 'neighbor', meaning you can literally call a person 'the near' in certain contexts.
- When using vicino a to mean 'close to' in terms of time, such as 'close to noon', Italians will often switch to the word quasi to mean 'almost'.
- The word vicino shares its roots with the English word 'neighbor', as both stem from the Latin concept of a person living in the same 'vicus' or village.
Examples in context
- Ero vicino a Tom.I was close to Tom.This sentence shows how to use vicino a to describe physical proximity to a person.Tatoeba #4668039 by Guybrush88, translation #4667173 by CK
- Vive vicino a te.He lives close to you.This sentence demonstrates using vicino a to describe where someone lives in relation to another person.Tatoeba #13075086 by Guybrush88, translation #10757124 by ddnktr
- Stai vicino a lui.Stay close to him.This sentence uses vicino a to give a command to stay near someone.Tatoeba #5743171 by Guybrush88, translation #3907522 by CH
- La biblioteca è vicina alla chiesaThe library is close to the church
- L'hotel si trova in prossimità della stazione ferroviariaThe hotel is located close to the train station
- La farmacia è adiacente al supermercatoThe pharmacy is adjacent to the supermarket
- Il negozio di abbigliamento è a due passi dal mio ufficioThe clothing store is a stone's throw away from my office
- La casa di Marco è appiccicata alla miaMarco's house is glued to mine
- La mia casa è vicina al mareMy house is close to the sea
- Il negozio di alimentari è in prossimità del parcoThe grocery store is close to the park
- La libreria è adiacente alla piazza principaleThe bookstore is adjacent to the main square
- Vado a fare la spesa. C'è un supermercato vicino?I'm going grocery shopping. Is there a supermarket close by?
- La tua casa è davvero a due passi dal centro!Your house is really just a stone's throw away from the city center!
- L'appartamento è appiccicato al mio. Sembra che siamo vicini!The apartment is glued to mine. It seems like we are close!
- 86 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are looking for a parking spot near the restaurant.
- MatteoC'è un parcheggio vicino al ristorante?Is there a parking lot close to the restaurant?
- MartinaSì, ce n'è uno proprio vicino a noi.Yes, there is one right close to us.
- MatteoPerfetto, possiamo scendere qui.Perfect, we can get out here.
- MartinaOttimo, Martina, andiamo!Great, Martina, let's go!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (vicino, a) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, vicino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
