die Nähe
proximity
A small physical distance from something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Der Supermarkt ist zum Glück in der Nähe.
Luckily, the supermarket is nearby.
die Nähe
closeness / proximity
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Meanings
die Nähe
closeness
A close emotional or social relationship between people.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Gespräch spürte er eine neue Nähe zu seiner Schwester.
After the long conversation, he felt a new closeness to his sister.
in der Nähe von
near
A fixed expression used to say that something is geographically close to something else.
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen in der Nähe von Hamburg.
We live near Hamburg.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'Nähe' (closeness/proximity) is derived from the adjective 'nah' (near/close). This connection helps you understand the meaning of 'small distance' or 'connectedness.'
EXAMPLE
Das Hotel liegt ganz nah am Strand.
The hotel is very close to the beach.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the spatial or emotional meaning is intended. If it is about places, it means physical proximity. If it is about people and relationships, it usually means emotional closeness.
EXAMPLE
Die Haltestelle ist in unmittelbarer Nähe.
The stop is in the immediate vicinity.
Typical collocations
In an emotional context, 'Nähe' (closeness) is often used with verbs such as 'suchen' (to seek), 'zulassen' (to allow), 'spüren' (to feel), or 'herstellen' (to establish) to express the need for or experience of connectedness.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit fiel es ihm schwer, wieder Nähe zuzulassen.
After the argument, he found it hard to allow closeness again.
Sentence structure and usage
The expression 'in der Nähe von' (near/in the vicinity of) is used to describe a location. After the preposition 'von', the dative is always used.
EXAMPLE
Der Park befindet sich in der Nähe von unserem Haus.
The park is located near our house.
Compare with
Nähe vs Umgebung
surroundings / environment
Nähe and Umgebung can both point to a place near a reference point. Nähe describes the short distance, while Umgebung means the area surrounding that place. Use „in der Nähe“ when the distance matters, and Umgebung when you mean the surrounding area.
Nähe
Das Hotel liegt in der Nähe des Bahnhofs.
The hotel is near the train station.
Umgebung
In der Umgebung des Bahnhofs gibt es mehrere kleine Cafés.
There are several small cafés in the area around the train station.
In real life
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