nächst
next
Refers to the immediately following point in time or period of time.
EXAMPLE
Nächste Woche fahre ich in den Urlaub.
Next week I'm going on vacation.
nächst
next / nearest
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Meanings
nächst
nearest
Refers to the place or object that is least distant in space.
EXAMPLE
Die nächste Bushaltestelle ist nur zwei Minuten entfernt.
The nearest bus stop is only two minutes away.
nächst
next
Indicates the following element in an order, list, or sequence.
EXAMPLE
Wer ist der nächste auf der Liste?
Who is next on the list?
am nächsten
closest
Describes the shortest distance to something or a close personal or emotional relationship.
EXAMPLE
Von allen meinen Freunden steht er mir am nächsten.
Of all my friends, he is closest to me.
der/die Nächste
the next person
As a noun: the person whose turn comes next in a sequence.
EXAMPLE
Der Nächste, bitte!
Next, please!
der Nächste
one's neighbor
As a noun in an ethical or religious sense: one's fellow human being.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte seinen Nächsten lieben wie sich selbst.
One should love one's neighbor as oneself.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'nächst' (next/nearest) is the superlative form of the adjective 'nah' (near). So it always describes what has the shortest distance—whether in space, time, or a relationship.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns am nächstgelegenen Bahnhof.
We're meeting at the nearest train station.
Nominalization
'Nächst' is very often used as a noun by placing an article before it. 'Der/Die Nächste' means a person, while 'das Nächste' means a thing or action in a sequence.
EXAMPLE
Was ist das Nächste auf unserer To-do-Liste?
What is next on our to-do list?
Typical time expressions
'Nächst-' is used very frequently for time expressions. Typical combinations are 'nächste Woche' (next week), 'nächsten Monat' (next month), 'nächstes Jahr' (next year), and 'beim nächsten Mal' (next time).
EXAMPLE
Nächsten Freitag habe ich einen wichtigen Termin.
Next Friday I have an important appointment.
Typical place expressions
To describe the nearest place in space, 'nächst-' is often combined with places from everyday life. Common phrases are 'die nächste Haltestelle' (the nearest stop), 'der nächste Supermarkt' (the nearest supermarket), or 'die nächste Apotheke' (the nearest pharmacy).
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, wo ist hier der nächste Geldautomat?
Excuse me, where is the nearest ATM around here?
Emotional closeness
To express a close personal relationship, the construction 'jemandem am nächsten stehen' (to be closest to someone) is used. The person with whom the relationship exists is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Von all meinen Geschwistern steht mir meine Schwester am nächsten.
Of all my siblings, my sister is closest to me.
Typical usage
The call 'Der Nächste, bitte!' (Next, please!) is a very typical prompt in situations with queues, for example at the doctor's office, in a bakery, or at a government-office counter.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem der Kunde bezahlt hatte, rief der Kassierer: „Der Nächste, bitte!“
After the customer had paid, the cashier called, 'Next, please!'
Register and style
The meaning 'Mitmensch' (fellow human being) is used mainly in an ethical, philosophical, or religious context. The related concept is 'Nächstenliebe' (love of one's neighbor/charity).
EXAMPLE
In seiner Rede betonte er die Wichtigkeit, sich um seinen Nächsten zu kümmern.
In his speech, he emphasized the importance of caring for one's neighbor.
Compare with
nächst vs folgend
following
Nächst and folgend can both refer to the immediately following period of time. “Nächste Woche” is usually understood from the current time of speaking. “In der folgenden Woche,” by contrast, typically refers to a point in time mentioned earlier and is particularly common in reports.
nächst
Nächste Woche beginnt der neue Kurs.
The new course starts next week.
folgend
Sie meldete sich am 3. Mai an, und in der folgenden Woche begann der neue Kurs.
She registered on May 3, and the new course started the following week.
In real life
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