近い

• Reading: ちかい
• Romaji: chikai
• Kanji breakdown: 近 (chika/kin) — near, close, recent
• Pronunciation: /t͡ɕi.ka.i/

Meaning

Near; close; short distance. Describes proximity in space or time.

An i-adjective meaning near or close. Used for physical distance (駅に近い = close to the station) and temporal proximity (近い将来 = near future). The opposite is 遠い (far). The related noun 近く (chikaku) means 'nearby.' Conjugates regularly: 近くない, 近かった.

Examples

1. 学校は家から近いです。 The school is close to my house.
2. 一番近いコンビニはどこですか。 Where is the nearest convenience store?
3. 駅に近いホテルに泊まりたい。 I want to stay at a hotel close to the station.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, location, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 近 contains the movement radical (辶) and 斤 (axe), suggesting something within the reach of an axe stroke — that is, nearby.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal