A1 Collocation Neutral

Vara nära

Be close

Significado

Near in distance or time.

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Contexto cultural

The phrase 'nära till naturen' is a core part of Swedish identity. Most Swedes expect to live within walking distance of a forest or park. Deadlines are often described as 'nära'. Swedes value punctuality, so saying a deadline is 'nära' usually triggers a focused work period. The 'ICA Nära' store brand is a cultural icon. It represents the small, local shop where you know the staff. Physical 'närhet' (closeness) in public is often avoided. Swedes prefer a larger personal bubble than in many other cultures.

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The 'Till' Trick

When starting a sentence with 'Det är...', always try to add 'till' before the location. It sounds 100% more native.

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People vs. Places

Remember: 'Vara nära' a person means you are physically touching or next to them. Use 'Stå nära' for friendship.

Significado

Near in distance or time.

💡

The 'Till' Trick

When starting a sentence with 'Det är...', always try to add 'till' before the location. It sounds 100% more native.

⚠️

People vs. Places

Remember: 'Vara nära' a person means you are physically touching or next to them. Use 'Stå nära' for friendship.

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Intensifiers

Use 'jättenära' (very near) or 'ganska nära' (quite near) to sound more natural in conversation.

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ICA Nära

If you see a red sign saying 'Nära', it's probably a grocery store! It's a great place to practice your basic Swedish.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the correct form of 'vara' (är/var).

Min bror ___ nära stationen nu.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: är

'Nu' indicates present tense, so we use 'är'.

Which sentence means 'It was a close call'?

Välj rätt mening:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Det var nära!

This is the idiomatic way to say something almost happened.

Match the Swedish phrase with the English meaning.

Matcha paren:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Julen är nära -> Christmas is near, Nära till skolan -> Near the school, Nära att ramla -> Close to falling

These cover the three main senses of the phrase.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Hur långt är det till bussen? B: Det ___ ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: är nära

We use 'är nära' to describe current distance.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Vara Nära vs Stå Nära

Vara Nära (Physical)
Bussen The bus
Stå Nära (Emotional)
Vännen The friend

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the correct form of 'vara' (är/var). Fill Blank A1

Min bror ___ nära stationen nu.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: är

'Nu' indicates present tense, so we use 'är'.

Which sentence means 'It was a close call'? Choose A2

Välj rätt mening:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Det var nära!

This is the idiomatic way to say something almost happened.

Match the Swedish phrase with the English meaning. Match B1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Julen är nära -> Christmas is near, Nära till skolan -> Near the school, Nära att ramla -> Close to falling

These cover the three main senses of the phrase.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Hur långt är det till bussen? B: Det ___ ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: är nära

We use 'är nära' to describe current distance.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

14 preguntas

Yes! 'Helgen är nära' (The weekend is near) is very common.

'Nära' is an adjective/adverb (The bus is near), while 'i närheten' is a prepositional phrase (The bus is in the vicinity).

The comparative form is 'närmare'. Example: 'Kom närmare' (Come closer).

It is neutral. It works in both formal and informal settings.

Physically, yes. Emotionally, it's better to say 'Jag känner mig nära dig'.

No, it stays 'nära' regardless of number.

It literally means 'near the eye' but idiomatically means 'a close shave' or 'that was close!'.

You say 'nära här' or 'här i närheten'.

Yes, to describe deadlines or being close to a deal.

The opposite is 'långt borta' (far away).

Yes, 'nära att [verb]' means 'close to [doing something]'.

Etymologically yes, but in modern Swedish they have very different meanings (near vs when).

It's a long sound like the 'e' in 'bed' but held longer, or like 'air'.

Yes! This is a common phrase in housing ads meaning 'close to everything'.

Frases relacionadas

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I närheten

similar

In the vicinity

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Stå nära

similar

To be emotionally close

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Nära ögat

specialized form

A close shave

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Långt ifrån

contrast

Far from

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Nära till hands

idiom

Close at hand / readily available

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