很近
In Chinese, "very near" is expressed as 很近.
The phrase 很近 means "very near".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 很 (hěn), meaning "very" and 近 (jìn), meaning "near".
Which one should you use?
很近 (very near) is the direct antonym of 很远 (very far).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, the adjective 近 (near) is typically preceded by an adverb of degree like 很 (very) when used in a simple predicate sentence, even if the English translation doesn't strictly require "very".
Did you know?
- There is a Chinese expression 近在咫尺 (near within a 'zhi' and a 'chi') used to describe something extremely close. A 'zhi' was an ancient unit of measurement equal to about 1.6 centimeters.
- In Chinese, the character 近 (near) is used in the term 近视 (near-sight) to describe myopia. While English describes the condition by what you cannot see, Chinese describes it by what is 'near' enough to see.
- When using 很近 to describe a person's relationship, like being 'very close' to someone, Chinese speakers often switch to the word 亲 (qīn) or 亲近 (qīnjìn) instead.
Examples in context
- 这家餐厅离我家很近。This restaurant is very near my house.
- 这个城市的机场邻近市中心。The airport of this city is adjacent to the city center.
- 这家咖啡店离我家特别近。This coffee shop is especially near my house.
- 我家离学校很近。My house is very near the school.
- 超市离这里很近。Chāoshì lí zhèlǐ hěn jìn.The supermarket is very near here.
- 公园离公司很近。Gōngyuán lí gōngsī hěn jìn.The park is very near the office.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are discussing where to live.
- 伟 Wei你想住在哪儿？Nǐ xiǎng zhù zài nǎ'er?Where do you want to live?
- 雨婷 Yuting我想住的地方离地铁站很近。Wǒ xiǎng zhù de dìfāng lí dìtiě zhàn hěn jìn.The place I want to live is very near the subway station.
- 伟 Wei那太方便了。Nà tài fāngbiàn le.That is very convenient.
- 雨婷 Yuting是啊，所以我很喜欢那里。Shì a, suǒyǐ wǒ hěn xǐhuān nàlǐ.Yes, so I like it there very much.
