01
nahe
near / close
Describes a short spatial distance to something or someone.
example
Wir wohnen ganz nahe am Bahnhof.
We live very close to the train station.
nahe
near / close
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'nahe' (near/close) belongs to the word family of 'die Nähe' (proximity/closeness). Both express a short distance, whether spatial, temporal, or emotional.
EXAMPLE
Ich suche eine Wohnung in der Nähe des Parks.
I'm looking for an apartment near the park.
Use with dative
The word 'nahe' (near/close) is often used with the dative to express the relationship to something or someone. A preposition is not always necessary.
EXAMPLE
Das Geschäft liegt dem Bahnhof nahe.
The shop is located near the train station.
Typical collocations
In the context of personal relationships, 'nahe' (close) is often combined with 'Verwandte' (relatives) or 'Freunde' (friends). The phrase 'sich nahestehen' means to have a very close relationship.
EXAMPLE
Nur die nahen Angehörigen waren zur Beerdigung eingeladen.
Only the close relatives were invited to the funeral.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'jemandem etwas nahelegen' (to suggest/recommend something to someone) is a fixed construction. The person is in the dative, and the thing being recommended is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte dir dringend nahelegen, noch einmal darüber nachzudenken.
I would strongly suggest that you think about it again.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem zu nahe treten' (to offend someone / get too personal with someone) is a fixed construction. The person whom you might potentially hurt is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Ihnen zu nahe treten zu wollen, aber diese Krawatte passt nicht zu Ihrem Hemd.
Without meaning to offend you, but this tie does not match your shirt.
Compare with
nahe vs bei
at / with / near
'bei' and 'nahe' can both say that something is not far away. 'bei' is a preposition and is used directly with a place or a person: 'bei der Schule' (near the school), 'bei meiner Wohnung' (near my apartment). 'nahe' is an adjective and describes the short distance itself. It often appears with 'an', 'bei', or 'von': 'nahe am Bahnhof' (close to the train station), 'nahe bei uns' (near us). 'bei' often sounds more natural in everyday speech when you are just giving an approximate location. 'nahe' emphasizes more strongly that the distance is small.
nahe
Die neue Wohnung ist nahe am Stadtpark.
The new apartment is close to the city park.
bei
Wir treffen uns bei der Bushaltestelle vor dem Kino.
We are meeting at the bus stop in front of the cinema.
In real life
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