Signification
Stating short distance.
Contexte culturel
In the Netherlands, 'dichtbij' is often used to encourage cycling. If a destination is 'dichtbij' (under 5km), most Dutch people will not take the car. Flemish speakers also use 'dichtbij', but you might hear 'bijna hier' or 'kortbij' more often in informal dialects compared to the Northern Netherlands. In Surinamese Dutch, 'dichtbij' is used similarly, but the perception of distance might be influenced by the tropical climate and different urban layouts. Expats in the Netherlands often find the Dutch definition of 'far' amusing. What an expat calls 'nearby', a Dutch person might call 'a whole trip'.
Use 'vlakbij' for emphasis
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'vlakbij' when something is literally within sight.
Watch out for 'dicht'
Always double-check if you mean 'closed' or 'nearby'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Signification
Stating short distance.
Use 'vlakbij' for emphasis
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'vlakbij' when something is literally within sight.
Watch out for 'dicht'
Always double-check if you mean 'closed' or 'nearby'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Temporal use
Use 'dichtbij' to talk about deadlines to sound more advanced. 'De deadline komt dichtbij' sounds very natural.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'The station is very close by'.
Het station is heel ___.
'Dichtbij' is the correct word for 'nearby'. 'Ver' means far, 'groot' means big, and 'dicht' means closed.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to tell a friend that the park is nearby.
'Dichtbij' is the full adverb. 'Dicht' alone means closed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Is de supermarkt ver? B: Nee, ___.
The question asks if it's far. The answer starts with 'Nee', so you must say it is close.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are looking at a map and see your destination is 100 meters away.
Both 'dichtbij' and 'om de hoek' (around the corner) describe short distances.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHet station is heel ___.
'Dichtbij' is the correct word for 'nearby'. 'Ver' means far, 'groot' means big, and 'dicht' means closed.
You want to tell a friend that the park is nearby.
'Dichtbij' is the full adverb. 'Dicht' alone means closed.
A: Is de supermarkt ver? B: Nee, ___.
The question asks if it's far. The answer starts with 'Nee', so you must say it is close.
You are looking at a map and see your destination is 100 meters away.
Both 'dichtbij' and 'om de hoek' (around the corner) describe short distances.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! 'Erg' and 'heel' are interchangeable here. 'Heel' is slightly more common in spoken Dutch.
It is written as one word when used as an adverb or preposition.
The opposite is 'ver weg' (far away).
Only for physical distance. If you want to say someone is a 'close friend', use 'een hechte vriend'.
The comparative form is 'dichterbij'. For example: 'Kom wat dichterbij' (Come a bit closer).
'Nabij' is a formal synonym. You'll see it in literature or formal announcements, but rarely hear it in a cafe.
Yes, absolutely. 'Het examen is dichtbij' means the exam is happening soon.
No, 'dichtbij' is an adverb/preposition and does not change its form. 'De winkels zijn dichtbij'.
'Vlakbij' is just a more emphatic version. Dutch people love being precise about how short a distance is!
No, just 'dichtbij' followed by the noun. 'Dichtbij het huis', not 'dichtbij aan het huis'.
Expressions liées
Vlakbij
similarRight nearby / very close
In de buurt
similarIn the neighborhood
Ver weg
contrastFar away
Om de hoek
synonymAround the corner
