Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prope | [ˈprɔ.pɛ] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈprɔː.pe] (narrow) |
with accusative |
| iuxta | [ˈjuːk.staː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈjʊk.staː] (Classical Latin, narrow) |
|
| circa | [ˈkɪr.kaː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈt͡ʃir.ka] (narrow) |
|
| circiter | [ˈkɪr.kɪ.tɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈt͡ʃir.t͡ʃi.ter] (narrow) |
The word is used as a preposition to indicate that something is in close proximity to something else. You can also use related forms such as the adverbial prope or iuxta to mean 'at or towards a position close in space or time', or the adjectives propinquus and proximus to describe being physically close.
Which one should you use?
While prope is a general term for 'near', iuxta is more specific, often implying being 'next to' or 'immediately beside' something. If you are referring to an approximate location or time rather than physical proximity, use circa (around/about) or circiter. To describe something as the 'nearest' or 'closest' using an adjective, use proximus instead of the preposition prope.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a preposition, prope must be followed by a noun in the accusative case.
Did you know?
- The word iuxta may share an ancient root with the word 'yoke', originating from a term meaning 'yoked together'.
- The Latin root in proximus is also the ancestor of the English word 'proxy'. A 'proxy' is someone who stands 'near' or in the place of another.
- The word circa is so effective at describing 'around' that it survived the fall of Rome to become the standard scholarly abbreviation 'ca.' used for uncertain dates in English today.
Examples in context
- Domus mea prope lacum est.My house is near the lake.This sentence shows how to use prope to describe a house's location relative to a lake.
- Puer prope ianuam est.There is a boy near the door.This sentence demonstrates using prope to place a boy near a door.Tatoeba #1142258 by alexmarcelo, translation #39068 by CK
- Vīcus prope mare erat.There was a village near the sea.This sentence illustrates the use of prope to describe a village's proximity to the sea.Tatoeba #11152871 by alexmarcelo, translation #3227280 by emigonza
- Prope est urbs Roma.Nearby is the city of Rome.
- Iuxta flumen positus est.It is located near the river.
- Domus tua propinqua est.Your house is nearby.
- Hic locus vicinior est.This place is closer.
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are looking for a specific shop in a market.
- LuciusUbi est taberna mea prope forum?Where is my shop near the forum?
- JuliaTaberna tua prope templum est.Your shop is near the temple.
- LuciusEstne prope fontem?Is it near the fountain?
- JuliaIta, prope fontem est.Yes, it is near the fountain.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “near” translations and entries prope, iuxta, circa, circiter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries circa, circiter, iuxta, prope, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
