How to Say “Near” in Italian

By •
vicino a
/viˈt͡ʃi.no a/word by word
The English word 'near' can be translated into Italian as vicino a.
The most basic translation for 'near' is vicino. You can use it to describe being in close proximity to something or someone. For emphasis, you can use vicinissimo to mean 'very close'. If you want to express the concept of nearness or proximity as a noun, use vicinanza. To say something is 'within a stone's throw', you can use the idiom a un tiro di schioppo.
Meaning: in close proximity to (prep)

Which one should you use?

While vicino a is the standard prepositional phrase, there are several variations based on context. To express being 'at a short distance' formally, you can use a poca distanza or a breve distanza. To say 'in the vicinity' formally, use nelle vicinanze. In informal speech, you might say a due passi to mean 'just a few steps away' or the variation a due passi da qui to mean 'just a stone's throw away from here'. In colloquial settings, da queste parti is used to mean 'in these parts'. Finally, circa is an adverb used to mean 'at or towards a position close in space or time'.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Northern Italy, some people might use vicin instead of vicino to say 'near'.

Related words

At or towards a position close in space or time (adv): circa.

Come closer to (verb): avvicinare.

How does it change in a sentence?

When used as a prepositional phrase followed by a noun or pronoun, you must include the preposition 'a', resulting in vicino a. However, if you are using vicino as an adverb without a following object, the 'a' is dropped.

How do you pronounce it?

The phrase is pronounced /viˈtʃi.no a/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Did you know?

  • The word vicino shares an ancient root with the English word 'village', as both stem from the idea of a specific neighborhood or settlement.
  • The expression a un tiro di schioppo literally translates to 'at a shot of a blunderbuss' or 'shotgun'.
  • The word vicino also means 'neighbor' when used as a noun.

Examples in context

  • Vivo vicino a lui.
    I live near him.
    This sentence demonstrates how to use vicino a to say you live near someone.
    Tatoeba #8485375 by Guybrush88, translation #8480491 by CH
  • Vivo vicino a Tom.
    I live near Tom.
    This sentence shows the use of vicino a with a specific person's name.
    Tatoeba #11335607 by Valdast, translation #7538258 by CK
  • Vive vicino a noi.
    He lives near us.
    This sentence illustrates using vicino a to describe living near a group of people.
    Tatoeba #12051806 by Guybrush88, translation #12051804 by shekitten
  • 463 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Francesco and Giulia are looking for a place to sit in a crowded park.

  1. Francesco

    Giulia, vuoi sederti vicino a me?
    Giulia, do you want to sit near me?
  2. Giulia

    Sì, ma quel tavolo è troppo vicino a quel gruppo.
    Yes, but that table is too near that group.
  3. Francesco

    Allora cerchiamo un posto vicino all'albero.
    Then let's look for a place near the tree.
  4. Giulia

    Ottima idea, Francesco.
    Great idea, Francesco.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Amy Sophie
Amy SophieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top