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
nahe
close
Describes a close personal, emotional, or family relationship.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist eine nahe Verwandte von mir.
She is a close relative of mine.
nahe
near
Describes a short distance in time; something that is coming soon.
EXAMPLE
Der Abschied war nahe und alle waren traurig.
The farewell was near, and everyone was sad.
nahe legen
to suggest
To strongly recommend something to someone or give them something to consider.
EXAMPLE
Die Spuren am Tatort legen den Verdacht nahe, dass der Täter Handschuhe trug.
The traces at the crime scene suggest the suspicion that the perpetrator wore gloves.
jemandem zu nahe treten
to offend someone
To offend or hurt someone through a remark or action, or to disregard their privacy.
EXAMPLE
Ich will Ihnen nicht zu nahe treten, aber Ihr Vorschlag ist nicht durchdacht.
I don't want to offend you, but your proposal is not well thought out.
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 eng
narrow / close / tight
Nahe and eng can both describe a strong personal relationship. Nahe particularly emphasizes the feeling of emotional closeness, while eng tends to highlight the intensity and lasting nature of the relationship. Use nahe for a personal feeling, and eng often for the nature of the relationship.
nahe
Nach unserem offenen Gespräch fühle ich mich meiner Schwester wieder nahe.
After our open conversation, I feel close to my sister again.
eng
Auch nach vielen Jahren habe ich eine enge Beziehung zu meiner Schwester.
Even after many years, I have a close relationship with my sister.
In real life
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