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"Next to" is a preposition which is often translated as "al lado de", and "near" is an adverb which is often translated as "cerca". Learn more about the difference between "next to" and "near" below.
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.
near(
nir
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (in space)
2. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The day of the interview was getting nearer.Se acercaba el día de la entrevista.
The nearer I get to leaving, the harder it's becoming.A medida que se acerca mi partida, más difícil se me hace.
3. (in degree)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
It's nowhere near as funny as his last movie.No es para nada tan graciosa como su última película.
This price is nearer to what I can afford.Este precio se acerca más a lo que puedo pagar.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (in space)
a. cercano
The nearest gas station is 20 miles away.La gasolinera más cercana está a 20 millas de aquí.
6. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Violet was in a state of near despair when she realized what she'd done.Violet quedó al borde de la desesperación al darse cuenta de lo que había hecho.
What with the people who didn't show up without letting us know and the rain, the party was a near disaster.Entre la gente que faltó sin avisar y la lluvia, la fiesta fue casi un desastre.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
8. (in space)
9. (in time)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Mike got injured near the end of the game.Mike se lesionó hacia el final del partido.
We'll talk about what food to buy nearer the day.Hablaremos más cerca de la fecha de qué comida hay que comprar.
a. a punto de
Sandra was near collapse when she got to the summit.Sandra estaba a punto de colapsar cuando llegó a la cima.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. acercarse a
We were nearing the top of the mountain.Nos estábamos acercando a la cima de la montaña.
