nah
/naː/
The German word for near is nah.
nah is used to describe being in close proximity to something. When you use it as a preposition followed by a noun, it is common to use the constructions nahe bei or nahe an to mean "near" or "close to".
Meaning: in close proximity to (prep)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nah can change form depending on the comparison. The comparative form, meaning "nearer", is näher and the superlative form, meaning "nearest", is am nächsten. Additionally, the related verb sich nähern means "to come closer to".
How do you pronounce it?
/naː/
Did you know?
- In German, you can use the adjective nah to describe a person's character. If someone is nah am Wasser gebaut, it literally means they are 'built near the water', but it is an idiom used to describe someone who is very emotionally sensitive or prone to crying.
- The German word nah is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'nigh', as seen in the archaic phrase 'the end is nigh'.
- When describing a person you are very close to in a non-physical way, such as a dear friend, you might use the phrase jemandem nahestehen.
Examples in context
- Er wohnt nahe am See.He lives near the beach.This sentence shows how to use nah to describe living near a location.Tatoeba #1565068 by Esperantostern, translation #1564993 by marcelostockle
- Tom saß nah am Feuer.Tom sat near the fire.This sentence illustrates the use of nah to describe sitting near a fire.Tatoeba #8797744 by Melang, translation #6659843 by CK
- Meine Wohnung ist nahe.My apartment is near.This sentence demonstrates using nah as an adjective to describe an apartment being near.Tatoeba #1197412 by Tlustulimu, translation #1655403 by CK
- Die Bank ist in der Nähe des BahnhofsThe bank is near the train station
- Der Supermarkt befindet sich in unmittelbarer Nähe des ParksThe supermarket is in immediate proximity to the park
- Die Pizzeria ist in der Nähe vom KinoThe pizzeria is close to the cinema
- Der Park ist ganz in der Nähe meiner WohnungThe park is really close to my apartment
- Die Bäckerei ist um die EckeThe bakery is around the corner
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are looking for a place to eat.
- LukasIst hier ein Restaurant nah am Bahnhof?Is there a restaurant near the station here?
- LauraJa, es gibt eines direkt an der Ecke.Yes, there is one right on the corner.
- LukasDas ist gut, ich möchte nah am Ziel bleiben.That is good, I want to stay near the destination.
- LauraKomm mit, ich zeige dir den Weg.Come with me, I'll show you the way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nah, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nah, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
