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"Close to" is a phrase which is often translated as "cerca de", and "next to" is a preposition which is often translated as "al lado de". Learn more about the difference between "close to" and "next to" below.
close to(
klos
tu
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I like my coworkers, but I'm not close to any of them.Me gustan mis colegas, pero no tengo mucha relación con ninguno de ellos.
I'm not very close to my parents.No trato mucho a mis padres.
next to(
nehkst
tu
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. al lado de
The teacher's desk is next to the chalkboard.El escritorio del maestro está al lado del pizarrón.
b. junto a
My favorite restaurant is next to the beach.Mi restaurante preferido está junto a la playa.
