accanto a
Next to
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'accanto a' to describe things or people that are right next to each other, side-by-side.
- Means: 'Next to' or 'beside' in a physical or supportive sense.
- Used in: Giving directions, describing room layouts, or expressing emotional support.
- Don't confuse: Never forget the 'a'—it's 'accanto a', not just 'accanto'.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
Indicating proximity.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Italian 'centri storici' (historic centers), buildings are often 'accanto' to each other with no space in between, sharing structural walls. This has created a culture of extreme physical proximity. When walking in a group (the 'passeggiata'), Italians prefer to walk 'accanto' (side-by-side) rather than in a line. This facilitates conversation and social bonding. In Renaissance art, the 'Sacra Conversazione' depicts saints standing 'accanto' to the Madonna. The proximity indicates their spiritual importance. It is common for Italian adult children to live 'accanto' (next door) to their parents, maintaining close ties while having separate homes.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'a'. It's the bridge that connects 'accanto' to the rest of the sentence.
Avoid 'Di'
English speakers often say 'accanto di' because of 'next of'. This is a major red flag for native speakers.
मतलब
Indicating proximity.
The 'A' Rule
Always remember the 'a'. It's the bridge that connects 'accanto' to the rest of the sentence.
Avoid 'Di'
English speakers often say 'accanto di' because of 'next of'. This is a major red flag for native speakers.
Adverbial Use
You can use 'accanto' alone at the end of a sentence if the object is obvious. 'La banca è qui accanto.'
Emotional Weight
Using 'stare accanto' for a person is a very warm, supportive thing to say. Use it with friends in need.
खुद को परखो
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'accanto a' (remember the articles!).
La sedia è ______ (il) tavolo.
Accanto + a + il = accanto al.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
'Accanto' always requires the preposition 'a'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Dov'è il bagno? B: È la porta ______ camera da letto.
'Camera' is feminine, so 'a' + 'la' = 'alla'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Phrase: 'Ti starò sempre accanto.'
This is the figurative/emotional use of the phrase.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Accanto vs Vicino
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNot necessarily, but it is more precise. 'Accanto a' means 'next to', while 'vicino a' means 'near'.
No, that is incorrect. You must always use 'a', so it is 'accanto a me'.
You use 'accanto alle'. For example: 'Accanto alle sedie'.
No, it can also mean 'alongside' in a metaphorical sense, like 'Accanto al lavoro, studio anche l'italiano'.
They are almost identical. 'A fianco a' is slightly more common when talking about people standing side-by-side.
No, 'accanto' is strictly for space or metaphorical support. For time, use 'vicino a' (near to a certain time) or 'prossimo'.
Yes, it is standard Italian and used from Milan to Sicily.
In Italian, prepositions like 'a' must merge with definite articles to create a single word.
Yes, in formal contexts: 'Accanto alla musica, ama la pittura' (Besides music, he loves painting).
It is primarily an adverb that functions as a preposition when paired with 'a'.
संबंधित मुहावरे
a fianco a
synonymside by side
vicino a
similarnear to
di fronte a
contrastopposite / in front of
allato a
specialized format the side of
appresso a
similarfollowing / near
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
At a Restaurant
Cameriere: Dove desidera sedersi?
Cliente: Vorrei un tavolo accanto alla finestra, per favore.
Giving Directions
Turista: Scusi, dov'è la posta?
Passante: È proprio lì, accanto alla banca.
In the Office
Capo: Dov'è il rapporto?
Impiegato: È sulla scrivania, accanto al computer.
Comforting a Friend
Amico A: Sono molto triste oggi.
Amico B: Non sei solo. Io ti sto accanto.
At the Cinema
Marco: Chi si siede accanto a Giulia?
Luca: Mi siedo io accanto a lei.
Describing a Photo
Nonna: Chi è questo bambino?
Nipote: È il mio amico Leo, quello accanto a me.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'A-CANTO'. You are standing at the 'CANTO' (corner) of a building, right 'A' (at) the side of it.
Visual Association
Imagine two identical twins standing shoulder-to-shoulder. They are so close their sleeves are touching. That is 'accanto'.
Rhyme
Accanto a te, sto bene com'è.
Story
Imagine you are in a crowded Italian elevator. You are squeezed 'accanto al' signor Rossi and 'accanto alla' signora Bianchi. There is no room to move because everyone is 'accanto'!
Word Web
चैलेंज
Look around your room right now. Find 5 pairs of objects and say out loud: '[Object A] è accanto [Object B]'. Don't forget to combine the 'a' with the article!
In Other Languages
al lado de
Italian uses 'a' (to/at), Spanish uses 'de' (of).
à côté de
French uses the 'de' preposition, Italian uses 'a'.
neben
German relies on grammatical cases; Italian relies on the preposition 'a'.
〜の隣 (no tonari)
Japanese 'tonari' is more category-specific than the general 'accanto'.
بجانب (bijanib)
Arabic is a single word (prefix+noun), Italian is a phrase.
在...旁边 (zài...pángbiān)
The target object is placed *between* the Chinese markers.
옆에 (yeope)
Korean is agglutinative, attaching the 'at' particle directly to 'side'.
ao lado de
Like Spanish/French, the main difference is the choice of 'de' over 'a'.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'vicino a' when they mean 'accanto a'.
If the objects are touching or right next to each other, use 'accanto'. If they are just in the same area, use 'vicino'.
Mixing up 'beside' with 'in front of'.
Think of 'accanto' as 180 degrees (side) and 'davanti' as 90 degrees (front).
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
Not necessarily, but it is more precise. 'Accanto a' means 'next to', while 'vicino a' means 'near'.
No, that is incorrect. You must always use 'a', so it is 'accanto a me'.
You use 'accanto alle'. For example: 'Accanto alle sedie'.
No, it can also mean 'alongside' in a metaphorical sense, like 'Accanto al lavoro, studio anche l'italiano'.
They are almost identical. 'A fianco a' is slightly more common when talking about people standing side-by-side.
No, 'accanto' is strictly for space or metaphorical support. For time, use 'vicino a' (near to a certain time) or 'prossimo'.
Yes, it is standard Italian and used from Milan to Sicily.
In Italian, prepositions like 'a' must merge with definite articles to create a single word.
Yes, in formal contexts: 'Accanto alla musica, ama la pittura' (Besides music, he loves painting).
It is primarily an adverb that functions as a preposition when paired with 'a'.
