Bedeutung
Describing a short distance.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Finns have a very wide 'personal space' bubble. If you are 'lähellä' someone in a queue, you are likely too close. Keep at least an arm's length. In the vast north, 'lähellä' can mean a 20-minute drive. Distance is relative to the sparsity of the population. In the capital, 'lähellä' usually refers to walking distance or a short tram ride. The phrase 'Se oli lähellä' is a common exclamation for a near-miss in ice hockey, Finland's national sport.
Use 'Ihan'
Add 'ihan' before 'lähellä' to sound more like a native. 'Se on ihan lähellä' (It's quite/very near).
The Genitive Trap
If you say 'near the station', remember the 'n': 'asemaN lähellä'.
Bedeutung
Describing a short distance.
Use 'Ihan'
Add 'ihan' before 'lähellä' to sound more like a native. 'Se on ihan lähellä' (It's quite/very near).
The Genitive Trap
If you say 'near the station', remember the 'n': 'asemaN lähellä'.
Spoken Finnish
In Helsinki, you'll often hear 'Se o lähel'. Dropping the final vowel is common in the capital region.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to say 'The shop is near.'
Kauppa ___ lähellä.
'On' is the 3rd person singular form of 'olla' (to be), which matches 'kauppa' (the shop).
Which sentence means 'It is quite near'?
Choose the best translation:
'Aika' means 'quite' or 'rather' in this context.
Match the Finnish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the basic variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Missä posti on? B: ___
This is the most natural response to a question about location.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenKauppa ___ lähellä.
'On' is the 3rd person singular form of 'olla' (to be), which matches 'kauppa' (the shop).
Choose the best translation:
'Aika' means 'quite' or 'rather' in this context.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the basic variations of the phrase.
A: Missä posti on? B: ___
This is the most natural response to a question about location.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenYes, but only for physical distance. 'Hän on lähellä' means 'He is nearby.' For emotional closeness, use 'läheinen'.
'Lähellä' is more direct (near), while 'lähistöllä' means 'in the general vicinity' or 'nearby-ish'.
In Finnish, it is primarily a postposition, meaning it comes AFTER the noun (e.g., 'talon lähellä').
The comparative form is 'lähempänä'. For example: 'Se on lähempänä kuin luulin' (It is closer than I thought).
No, 'lähellä' is an adverb and remains the same. 'Ne ovat lähellä' (They are near).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Se on kaukana
contrastIt is far
Ihan tässä
similarRight here
Kulman takana
specialized formAround the corner
Läheinen ystävä
builds onA close friend
