近所

• Reading: きんじょ
• Romaji: kinjo
• Kanji breakdown: 近 (kin/chika) — near, close; 所 (sho/jo) — place
• Pronunciation: /kiɴ.dʑo/

Meaning

Neighbourhood; vicinity. The area near one's home or a particular location.

An everyday word referring to the area around where one lives. Often used with の to modify nouns, as in 近所の人 (kinjo no hito, a neighbour) and 近所のスーパー (kinjo no suupaa, the local supermarket). Distinct from 近く (chikaku), which means 'nearby' more generally without the residential nuance.

Examples

1. 近所に新しいパン屋ができました。 A new bakery opened in the neighborhood.
2. 近所の人にあいさつをしました。 I greeted the neighbors.
3. この近所で静かなカフェを知っていますか。 Do you know a quiet cafe around this neighborhood?

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, community, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound of 近 (kin, near) and 所 (jo/sho, place). Literally 'a near place.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal