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A2 adjective #1,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

nahe

Top 1,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas nahe em 30 segundos

Explicação nahe in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'nahe' (or its short form 'nah') as a simple way to describe where things are. You will mostly use it with the verb 'sein' (to be). For example, 'Das Haus ist nah' (The house is near). You also learn the noun 'die Nähe' in the phrase 'in der Nähe' (nearby). This is very useful for asking for directions, like 'Ist ein Supermarkt in der Nähe?' (Is there a supermarket nearby?). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just focus on the basic meaning of physical distance. You might also see 'nächste' (next) in very simple contexts like 'nächste Woche' (next week) or 'nächste Haltestelle' (next stop). The goal at this level is to recognize the word and use it to describe your immediate surroundings and basic time concepts.

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At the A2 level, you start using 'nahe' more actively in sentences and begin to see its comparative and superlative forms. You learn that 'näher' means 'closer' and 'am nächsten' means 'closest'. You also start using 'nahe' as an attributive adjective, which means it comes before a noun and needs an ending, like 'ein naher Verwandter' (a close relative). You will also encounter the prepositional use 'nahe bei' (near to). At this stage, you should be able to describe relationships more clearly and talk about upcoming events in the 'nahen Zukunft' (near future). You will also notice 'nahe' appearing in more diverse contexts, such as weather reports or simple news stories. The focus here is on correct adjective endings and the basic comparison of distances.

At the B1 level, you transition from purely physical descriptions to more abstract and emotional uses of 'nahe'. You learn expressions like 'jemandem nahestehen' (to be close to someone) and 'etwas geht mir nahe' (something affects me deeply). You also start to use 'nahe' in more complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses. You will encounter synonyms like 'unweit' in reading texts and learn to distinguish between 'nahe' and 'dicht'. Your understanding of 'nächste' expands to include more abstract sequences. At this level, you should be able to discuss your feelings and personal connections using 'nahe' and understand when it is being used figuratively in a conversation or a book. You are also expected to handle the dative case correctly when using 'nahe' as a preposition or with certain verbs.

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At the B2 level, you refine your use of 'nahe' in formal and professional contexts. You will see it used in compound words like 'naheliegend' (obvious/suggesting itself) or 'zeitnah' (prompt/in a timely manner). You learn to use 'nahe' to make suggestions, such as 'jemandem etwas nahelegen' (to suggest something to someone). Your vocabulary expands to include more sophisticated synonyms like 'angrenzend' (adjacent) or 'unmittelbar' (immediate). You should be able to follow complex discussions where 'nahe' is used to describe political or social proximity. The focus at B2 is on nuance, formal register, and the ability to use 'nahe' in idiomatic expressions that are common in German media and literature. You also become more aware of the stylistic difference between 'nah' and 'nahe'.

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At the C1 level, you master the subtle stylistic nuances of 'nahe'. You understand its use in high-level literature and academic writing, where it might appear as a preposition taking the genitive or dative case. You are familiar with rare idioms and can use 'nahe' to express very specific shades of meaning. For example, you can distinguish between 'sich nahekommen' (to get to know each other/get close) and 'sich näherkommen' (often used for romantic progression). You can use 'nahe' in complex argumentative structures to describe the logical proximity of ideas. Your use of the word is fluid, and you can switch between formal and informal registers effortlessly. You also understand the historical development of the word and its relationship to other Germanic languages, which helps you grasp its deeper connotations in poetic texts.

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At the C2 level, your command of 'nahe' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can appreciate and use the word in its most poetic and archaic forms. You understand how 'nahe' functions in various dialects and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can analyze the use of 'nahe' in the works of great German writers like Goethe or Kafka, where it often carries heavy symbolic weight. You are able to use 'nahe' in highly specialized fields, such as philosophy or legal German, where precision is paramount. Whether you are writing a doctoral thesis or a piece of creative fiction, you use 'nahe' and its derivatives with absolute precision, flair, and an innate sense of the word's rhythmic and emotional resonance.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

nahe em 30 segundos

Nahe primarily means 'near' or 'close' in terms of physical distance, such as a nearby building or city.
It is also used for time, describing events that are approaching or will happen soon, like the 'near future'.
Emotionally, it describes close relationships between people, such as 'close friends' or 'close relatives'.
The word has a comparative form 'näher' (closer) and a superlative 'nächste' (nearest/next), which is very common.

The German adjective nahe (often shortened to nah in predicative use) is a fundamental building block of the German language, primarily used to describe proximity in space, time, or relationship. At its core, it signifies that the distance between two points is minimal. However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical measurements. In a spatial sense, you might use it to describe a bakery that is just around the corner or a city that is within driving distance. In a temporal sense, it refers to events that are about to happen, such as an upcoming exam or the change of seasons. Emotionally, it describes the intimacy between friends or family members. Understanding 'nahe' requires recognizing its flexibility across these domains.

Spatial Proximity: This is the most literal use. It describes objects or locations that are not far away. For example, 'Die Schule ist nahe' (The school is near). In German, the short form 'nah' is very common when the word follows a verb like 'sein' (to be).

Mein Haus liegt sehr nahe am Stadtzentrum, was sehr praktisch für den täglichen Einkauf ist.

Temporal Proximity: When an event is approaching, we use 'nahe'. 'Der Frühling ist nahe' suggests that the winter is ending and the warmer weather is just around the corner. It creates a sense of anticipation or urgency depending on the context.

Die Prüfungstermine rücken immer näher, und ich muss endlich anfangen zu lernen.

Emotional Closeness: This refers to the bond between people. A 'naher Verwandter' is a close relative. If you 'stehen jemandem nahe', it means you have a deep emotional connection with them. This usage is vital for discussing social circles and personal feelings.

Sie ist eine sehr nahe Freundin, der ich alle meine Geheimnisse anvertrauen kann.

Können Sie mir sagen, wo die nächste Bushaltestelle ist?

In summary, 'nahe' is a versatile adjective that transitions seamlessly from the physical world to the abstract realms of time and emotion. Whether you are navigating a city, planning your schedule, or describing your family, this word is indispensable. It captures the essence of being 'within reach', whether that reach is measured in meters, minutes, or heartbeats. Mastery of this word involves not just knowing its translation, but feeling the 'closeness' it implies in every context.

Using nahe correctly in a sentence involves understanding its forms: the basic adjective nahe, the comparative näher (closer), and the superlative am nächsten (closest) or der/die/das nächste (the next/nearest). The word can function as an attributive adjective (before a noun), a predicative adjective (after a verb), or even as a preposition in certain formal contexts. When used attributively, it must follow the standard rules of German adjective declension, which means its ending will change based on the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes.

Attributive Use (Before Nouns): When placed before a noun, 'nahe' changes its ending. For example: 'Ein naher Verwandter' (A close relative - masculine nominative), 'In der nahen Zukunft' (In the near future - feminine dative). Notice how the 'e' at the end of the stem is kept before the declension ending is added.

Wir hoffen auf eine Lösung in der nahen Zukunft, um den Konflikt friedlich zu beenden.

Predicative Use (After Verbs): When it follows a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to stay), it often loses the final 'e' and becomes 'nah'. Example: 'Das Ziel ist nah' (The goal is near). This is the most common form in everyday speech. However, 'nahe' is still grammatically correct and often used in more formal writing.

Obwohl wir uns lange nicht gesehen haben, fühlen wir uns einander immer noch sehr nah.

Comparative and Superlative: The comparative is 'näher'. Note the umlaut (ä). Example: 'Komm ein Stück näher' (Come a bit closer). The superlative is 'am nächsten'. Example: 'Wer wohnt am nächsten?' (Who lives closest?). The superlative is also used for 'next': 'Die nächste Woche' (The next week).

Können wir das Thema näher betrachten, um alle Details zu verstehen?

Furthermore, 'nahe' is frequently paired with the preposition 'an' (plus dative) to indicate proximity to a specific object. 'Nahe am Wasser' (Near the water). It also appears in the fixed expression 'jemandem nahestehen' (to be close to someone), where 'jemandem' is in the dative case. This verb-adjective combination is treated as a single unit of meaning. Understanding these structural nuances—the dropping of the 'e', the umlaut in comparison, and the case requirements—will allow you to use 'nahe' with the precision of a native speaker.

In the real world, nahe and its variants are ubiquitous. You will hear them in train stations, in weather reports, in deep emotional conversations, and in academic lectures. The word's versatility makes it a staple of German communication. In public transport, the superlative 'nächste' is perhaps the most frequent word you'll encounter. Every time a train or bus approaches a stop, the automated voice announces 'Nächster Halt...' (Next stop...). This reinforces the connection between physical distance and the sequence of events.

Public Announcements: 'Nächster Halt: Hauptbahnhof.' This is the quintessential use of the superlative form. It indicates the very next point in a journey. You will also hear 'Der Zug fährt in den Bahnhof ein, bitte treten Sie nicht zu nahe an die Bahnsteigkante' (The train is entering the station, please do not step too close to the platform edge).

Vorsicht an der Bahnsteigkante! Bitte treten Sie nicht zu nahe an die Schienen heran.

Weather and News: Meteorologists often talk about 'nahende Gewitter' (approaching storms) or 'nahende Kaltfronten'. In news reports, you might hear about 'nahestehende Quellen' (sources close to the matter), which refers to people who have inside information but wish to remain anonymous.

Ein nahendes Tiefdruckgebiet wird am Wochenende für viel Regen und Wind sorgen.

Everyday Social Interactions: In casual conversation, 'nah' is used to describe relationships. 'Wir stehen uns sehr nah' (We are very close). It's also used when someone is moved by something: 'Das geht mir sehr nahe' (That affects me deeply / That hits close to home). This shows how the word bridges the gap between physical distance and internal emotion.

Ihre traurige Geschichte ist mir wirklich sehr nahe gegangen.

Whether you are listening to the radio, watching a movie, or simply walking down a German street, 'nahe' is there. It is a word that helps define boundaries, predict the future, and express the depth of human connection. By paying attention to how native speakers use it, you will notice that it is rarely just about meters and centimeters; it is about the significance of proximity in all its forms.

Learning to use nahe correctly involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls. Because English uses 'near', 'nearby', and 'next' in specific ways, English speakers often struggle with the German equivalents. One of the most common errors is the confusion between the adjective nahe and the noun die Nähe (the proximity/vicinity). Another frequent mistake involves the superlative form 'nächste', which learners sometimes forget also means 'next'.

Mistake 1: Adjective vs. Noun: Learners often say 'Ich bin in der nahe' instead of 'Ich bin in der Nähe'. Remember that 'nahe' is an adjective (near), while 'Nähe' is a noun (vicinity). You use the noun after prepositions like 'in der'.

Falsch: Das Hotel ist in der nahe. Richtig: Das Hotel ist in der Nähe.

Mistake 2: Comparative Umlaut: When comparing two things, many learners forget the umlaut in 'näher'. They might say 'naher' which is incorrect. Always remember: nahe -> näher -> am nächsten. The 'a' changes to 'ä' in both the comparative and superlative forms.

Falsch: Kannst du naher kommen? Richtig: Kannst du näher kommen?

Mistake 3: 'Nahe' vs. 'Nah': While both are often interchangeable in predicative use, using 'nahe' in a very casual setting can sound slightly stiff. Conversely, using 'nah' as an attributive adjective ('ein nah Verwandter') is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'ein naher Verwandter'.

Falsch: Er ist ein nah Freund. Richtig: Er ist ein naher Freund.

Mistake 4: Prepositional Confusion: English speakers often try to translate 'near the...' directly as 'nahe die...'. In German, 'nahe' as a preposition requires the dative case: 'nahe der Stadt' (near the city). However, it's often safer and more natural for beginners to use 'in der Nähe von' + dative.

By being mindful of these common errors, you can avoid the typical 'English-sounding' mistakes. Focus on the distinction between the adjective and the noun, remember your umlauts in comparisons, and pay close attention to adjective endings. These small details are what separate a beginner from an intermediate learner.

While nahe is the most common word for 'near', German offers a rich palette of synonyms and related terms that can add precision to your speech. Depending on whether you are talking about physical distance, lack of space, or emotional intimacy, other words might be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a translation dictionary.

Unweit vs. Nahe: 'Unweit' is a more formal, literary synonym for 'nahe'. It literally means 'not far'. You will often see it in travel guides or formal descriptions of locations. 'Unweit des Schlosses befindet sich ein Park' (Not far from the castle, there is a park). It usually takes the genitive case.

Unweit der Grenze wurde ein neues Naturschutzgebiet eröffnet.

Dicht vs. Nahe: 'Dicht' implies a very close proximity, often with the sense of being 'pressed against' or 'tightly packed'. While 'nahe' just means near, 'dicht' means very near or right next to. 'Dicht an der Mauer' (Right against the wall).

Die Autos standen dicht an dicht im Stau.

In der Nähe vs. Nahe: As mentioned before, 'in der Nähe' is the noun-based construction. It is often more flexible in sentences. 'Gibt es ein Restaurant in der Nähe?' is much more common than 'Gibt es ein nahes Restaurant?'. The latter sounds like you are looking for a restaurant that is 'close' in some intrinsic way, rather than just nearby.

Wir wohnen in der Nähe von München, aber nicht direkt in der Stadt.

Vertraut vs. Nahe: When talking about people, 'vertraut' (intimate/familiar) can be a stronger alternative to 'nahe'. If you are 'nahe' to someone, you are close. If you are 'vertraut', you share a deep level of trust and mutual understanding.

Choosing the right word depends on the context. If you want to be formal, use 'unweit'. If you want to emphasize extreme proximity, use 'dicht'. If you are talking about locations in a general sense, 'in der Nähe' is your best bet. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just 'nahe', you gain the ability to describe the world with much greater detail and color.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The English word 'near' was originally the comparative form of 'nigh' (meaning 'closer'), but it eventually became the standard positive form in English, while German kept 'nahe'.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈnaːə/

US /ˈnɑːə/

The stress is on the first syllable: NA-he.

Rima com

bejahe erlahe sahe geschähe beinahe geschähe drahe wahe

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'h' (it should be silent and just lengthen the 'a').
Making the 'a' too short like in 'cat'.
Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ee' (it should be a schwa).
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'neigh'.
Not lengthening the 'a' enough.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize, but comparative forms need attention.

Escrita 3/5

Adjective endings and dative case usage can be tricky.

Expressão oral 2/5

Common in speech, especially the short form 'nah'.

Audição 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but superlative 'nächste' is very fast in announcements.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

wo da hier weit sein

Aprenda a seguir

fern gegenüber neben nächste nähern

Avançado

unweit angrenzend unmittelbar nahelegen Annäherung

Gramática essencial

Adjective Declension

Ein naher Freund (Nominative), eines nahen Freundes (Genitive).

Comparison of Adjectives

nahe, näher, am nächsten.

Dative Case with Prepositions

Nahe dem Bahnhof (Dative).

Shortening of Adjectives

Predicative 'nah' vs. attributive 'nahe'.

Superlative as 'Next'

Der nächste Bus (The next bus).

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Exemplos por nível

Mein Haus ist nah.

My house is near.

Predicative use of 'nah' without an ending.

Ist der Bahnhof nahe?

Is the train station near?

Simple question with 'nahe'.

Der Supermarkt ist sehr nah.

The supermarket is very near.

Adverb 'sehr' modifying 'nah'.

Wir wohnen nah bei Berlin.

We live near Berlin.

'Nah bei' + dative.

Die Schule ist nicht nah.

The school is not near.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Kommst du aus der Nähe?

Are you from nearby?

Using the noun 'Nähe' in a common phrase.

Das ist die nächste Bushaltestelle.

That is the next bus stop.

Superlative 'nächste' as 'next'.

Mein Freund wohnt nah.

My friend lives near.

Adverbial use of 'nah'.

Er ist ein naher Verwandter von mir.

He is a close relative of mine.

Attributive adjective with masculine nominative ending -er.

Komm bitte ein bisschen näher.

Please come a little closer.

Comparative form 'näher'.

In der nahen Zukunft werde ich reisen.

In the near future, I will travel.

Attributive adjective with feminine dative ending -en.

Wer wohnt am nächsten an der Schule?

Who lives closest to the school?

Superlative 'am nächsten'.

Das Dorf liegt nahe am Fluss.

The village lies near the river.

'Nahe am' + dative.

Wir sind uns in den letzten Jahren nähergekommen.

We have become closer in recent years.

Separable verb 'näherkommen'.

Die nächste Prüfung ist am Montag.

The next exam is on Monday.

Superlative used for sequence.

Das Ziel ist schon sehr nah.

The goal is already very near.

Predicative use with 'schon'.

Seine Worte sind mir sehr nahe gegangen.

His words affected me deeply.

Idiomatic expression 'nahe gehen'.

Wir stehen uns sehr nahe.

We are very close (emotionally).

Fixed expression 'jemandem nahestehen'.

Das Gewitter kommt immer näher.

The thunderstorm is coming closer and closer.

Comparative 'näher' with 'kommen'.

Er wohnt unweit des Stadtparks.

He lives not far from the city park.

Formal synonym 'unweit' with genitive.

Es liegt nahe, dass er die Wahrheit sagt.

It stands to reason that he is telling the truth.

Idiomatic use of 'naheliegen'.

Bitte treten Sie nicht zu nahe an den Hund heran.

Please do not step too close to the dog.

Adverbial use with 'zu' (too).

Die beiden Städte liegen sehr nahe beieinander.

The two cities are located very close to each other.

'Nahe beieinander' (close to each other).

Ich möchte das Thema näher erläutern.

I would like to explain the topic in more detail.

Comparative 'näher' meaning 'in more detail'.

Ich möchte Ihnen nahelegen, das Angebot anzunehmen.

I would like to suggest that you accept the offer.

Formal verb 'nahelegen' (to suggest/recommend).

Eine zeitnahe Antwort wäre sehr hilfreich.

A prompt answer would be very helpful.

Compound adjective 'zeitnah' (timely/prompt).

Die Ergebnisse liegen nahe beieinander.

The results are very close to each other.

Figurative use for data or scores.

Er ist ein der Regierung nahestehender Journalist.

He is a journalist close to the government.

Participial adjective 'nahestehend'.

Das Unglück ging der ganzen Gemeinde sehr nahe.

The accident affected the whole community deeply.

Dative object 'der ganzen Gemeinde' with 'nahe gehen'.

Es war ein naheliegender Schluss.

It was an obvious conclusion.

Adjective 'naheliegend' (obvious).

Wir müssen uns der Problematik nähern.

We must approach the problem.

Reflexive verb 'sich nähern'.

Die Verhandlungen sind einem Abschluss nahe.

The negotiations are close to a conclusion.

Predicative use with dative 'einem Abschluss'.

Die Annäherung der beiden Standpunkte war schwierig.

The convergence of the two viewpoints was difficult.

Noun 'Annäherung' (rapprochement/convergence).

Das Werk steht der Romantik sehr nahe.

The work is very close to Romanticism.

Figurative proximity in art or style.

Er wollte ihr nicht zu nahe treten.

He didn't want to offend her / overstep her boundaries.

Idiom 'jemandem zu nahe treten'.

Die Gefahr war zum Greifen nahe.

The danger was tangibly close / within reach.

Idiom 'zum Greifen nahe'.

Bei näherer Betrachtung ergeben sich Zweifel.

Upon closer inspection, doubts arise.

Fixed phrase 'bei näherer Betrachtung'.

Sie ist eine nahe Vertraute des Präsidenten.

She is a close confidante of the president.

Noun 'Vertraute' modified by 'nahe'.

Das Ereignis liegt zeitlich weit zurück, geht mir aber immer noch nahe.

The event was a long time ago, but it still affects me deeply.

Contrast between temporal distance and emotional proximity.

Wir müssen die nächste Umgebung des Tatorts untersuchen.

We must investigate the immediate vicinity of the crime scene.

Superlative 'nächste' meaning 'immediate'.

Die existenzielle Not ging ihm bis ins Mark nahe.

The existential distress affected him to the core.

Intensified idiom with 'bis ins Mark'.

Es ist eine dem Untergang nahe Zivilisation.

It is a civilization close to collapse.

Extended adjective phrase with dative 'dem Untergang'.

Die semantische Nähe der Begriffe führt oft zu Verwirrung.

The semantic proximity of the terms often leads to confusion.

Abstract noun 'Nähe' in a linguistic context.

Er suchte die Nähe zur Natur.

He sought proximity to nature.

Noun 'Nähe' with 'zu' + dative.

In jener Nacht kam er dem Tod gefährlich nahe.

That night, he came dangerously close to death.

Dative 'dem Tod' with 'nahe kommen'.

Die Dichtung rückt uns das Unaussprechliche nahe.

Poetry brings the unspeakable close to us.

Causative use of 'nahe rücken'.

Eine nähere Bestimmung des Begriffs ist erforderlich.

A more precise definition of the term is required.

Comparative 'näher' meaning 'more precise/detailed'.

Er fühlte sich der Heimat nie näher als in der Fremde.

He never felt closer to home than when he was abroad.

Comparative 'näher' in a philosophical/emotional sense.

Colocações comuns

nahe Verwandte

nahe Zukunft

nahe kommen

nahe liegen

nahe bei

nahe stehen

nahe gehen

nahe treten

nahezu

aus der Nähe

Frases Comuns

In der Nähe

— In the vicinity or nearby. Used to describe location.

Gibt es hier ein Café in der Nähe?

Ganz nahe

— Very close. Emphasizes minimal distance.

Das Hotel ist ganz nahe am Strand.

Von nahem

— From up close. Used when looking at something.

Von nahem sieht das Bild anders aus.

Nicht zu nahe

— Not too close. Often a warning.

Geh nicht zu nahe an den Abgrund.

Nahe am Wasser gebaut sein

— To be prone to crying. A common idiom.

Sie ist sehr emotional und nahe am Wasser gebaut.

Sich nahe sein

— To be close to each other emotionally.

Die Geschwister sind sich sehr nahe.

Einem Ziel nahe sein

— To be close to achieving a goal.

Wir sind der Lösung sehr nahe.

Nahe Verwandtschaft

— Close relatives/kinship.

Es besteht eine nahe Verwandtschaft zwischen ihnen.

Nahe Umgebung

— Immediate surroundings.

In der nahen Umgebung gibt es viele Wälder.

Zeitlich nahe

— Close in time.

Die beiden Termine liegen zeitlich nahe beieinander.

Frequentemente confundido com

nahe vs nach

English speakers confuse 'nahe' (near) with 'nach' (to/after) because they sound slightly similar.

nahe vs nächste

Learners forget that 'nächste' means both 'nearest' and 'next'.

nahe vs Nähe

Confusion between the adjective 'nahe' and the noun 'Nähe'.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Jemandem zu nahe treten"

— To offend someone or overstep their boundaries.

Ich hoffe, ich bin Ihnen mit meiner Frage nicht zu nahe getreten.

formal

"Nahe am Wasser gebaut sein"

— To cry easily or be very emotional.

Bei traurigen Filmen ist er immer nahe am Wasser gebaut.

informal

"Zum Greifen nahe sein"

— To be within reach or very close to happening.

Der Sieg war zum Greifen nahe.

neutral

"Etwas geht jemandem nahe"

— Something affects someone deeply or emotionally.

Der Abschied ist ihr sehr nahe gegangen.

neutral

"Jemandem etwas nahelegen"

— To strongly suggest or recommend something to someone.

Der Arzt hat ihm eine Kur nahegelegt.

formal

"Sich näherkommen"

— To get to know each other better, often romantically.

Die beiden sind sich im Urlaub nähergekommen.

neutral

"Nahe liegen"

— To be obvious or logical.

Es liegt nahe, dass sie Hilfe braucht.

neutral

"In greifbare Nähe rücken"

— To become a realistic possibility soon.

Die Beförderung rückt in greifbare Nähe.

neutral

"Sich nahestehen"

— To have a close relationship.

Wir stehen uns seit der Kindheit nahe.

neutral

"Dicht auf den Fersen sein"

— To be close behind someone (literally or figuratively).

Die Polizei war dem Dieb dicht auf den Fersen.

informal

Fácil de confundir

nahe vs nach

Phonetic similarity.

'Nahe' is an adjective for distance; 'nach' is a preposition for direction or time.

Ich fahre nach Berlin (direction). Berlin ist nahe (distance).

nahe vs nächst

Superlative form.

'Nächst' is the root of 'nächste' (next/nearest).

Der nächste Zug kommt bald.

nahe vs beinahe

Contains the word 'nahe'.

'Beinahe' is an adverb meaning 'almost' or 'nearly'.

Ich wäre beinahe gefallen.

nahe vs nahezu

Contains the word 'nahe'.

'Nahezu' is a formal adverb meaning 'almost entirely'.

Das ist nahezu perfekt.

nahe vs unweit

Synonym.

'Unweit' is more formal and usually used with the genitive case.

Unweit des Hauses.

Padrões de frases

[Subject] ist nah.

Der Park ist nah.

[Subject] liegt nahe am [Noun-Dative].

Das Hotel liegt nahe am Meer.

In der nahen Zukunft [Verb] [Subject]...

In der nahen Zukunft werde ich umziehen.

[Subject] steht [Person-Dative] nahe.

Ich stehe meinem Bruder nahe.

Es liegt nahe, dass [Clause].

Es liegt nahe, dass sie Hilfe braucht.

[Subject] geht [Person-Dative] nahe.

Die Nachricht ging ihm sehr nahe.

Bei näherer Betrachtung [Verb] [Subject]...

Bei näherer Betrachtung ist der Plan riskant.

Sich der [Noun-Dative] nähern.

Wir müssen uns der Wahrheit nähern.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

die Nähe (proximity)

die Annäherung (approach/rapprochement)

der Nahverkehr (local transport)

Verbos

nähern (to approach)

annähern (to bring closer)

nahelegen (to suggest)

nahestehen (to be close to)

Adjetivos

nahe (near)

nah (near - short form)

naheliegend (obvious)

zeitnah (prompt)

hautnah (skin-close/first-hand)

Relacionado

nach

Nachbar

nächstmöglich

unweit

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 500 words in German.

Erros comuns

Ich bin in der nahe. → Ich bin in der Nähe.
You must use the noun 'Nähe' after 'in der', not the adjective 'nahe'.
Er ist ein nah Freund. → Er ist ein naher Freund.
Adjectives before nouns need endings. 'Nah' is only for predicative use.
Komm naher. → Komm näher.
The comparative form of 'nahe' always has an umlaut.
Nahe die Stadt. → Nahe der Stadt.
The preposition 'nahe' requires the dative case.
Das ist beinahe zu mir. → Das ist nahe bei mir.
'Beinahe' means 'almost', not 'near'. Use 'nahe bei' for location.

Dicas

Adjective Endings

Remember that 'nahe' needs an ending when it's before a noun. 'Ein naher Verwandter' (masculine), 'Eine nahe Stadt' (feminine).

Next vs Nearest

Always use 'nächste' for 'next'. 'Nächste Woche', 'Nächster Halt', 'Nächstes Mal'.

Short Form

Use 'nah' in spoken German after 'ist'. It sounds more natural than 'nahe'.

Emotional Impact

Use 'Das geht mir nahe' when you want to say something really touched your heart.

Location

Use 'in der Nähe von' for general locations. It's the most versatile phrase.

Umlauts

The 'a' becomes 'ä' in 'näher' and 'nächste'. This is a very common spelling mistake.

Formal Writing

In formal letters, use 'zeitnah' instead of 'bald' to mean 'soon/promptly'.

Relationships

'Nahestehen' is a great verb to describe your inner circle of friends.

Offending Others

Be careful with 'zu nahe treten'. It's a strong way to apologize for being intrusive.

Train Announcements

Listen for 'Nächster Halt' on the DB trains; it's the best way to hear the word in the wild.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'nahe' as 'nigh'. If something is 'nigh', it is 'nahe'. Both words start with 'n' and mean close.

Associação visual

Imagine a person standing so close to a wall that they can touch it. The person is 'nahe' to the wall.

Word Web

Raum Zeit Gefühl Distanz Verwandtschaft Zukunft Nachbar Kontakt

Desafio

Try to use 'nahe' in three different ways today: once for a place, once for a time, and once for a person.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Middle High German 'nāhe' and Old High German 'nāh'. It shares a common ancestor with the English word 'nigh'.

Significado original: The original meaning in Proto-Germanic was 'reaching' or 'sufficient', which evolved into 'close enough to reach'.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful with 'jemandem zu nahe treten', as it is a serious way to describe offending someone's dignity.

English speakers often use 'close' for both physical and emotional distance. German uses 'nahe' similarly, but 'nah' is more common for physical distance in speech.

The hymn 'Näher, mein Gott, zu dir' (Nearer, My God, to Thee). The phrase 'Das Ende ist nah' (The end is near) often used in movies. Friedrich Hölderlin's poem 'Patmos' starts with: 'Nah ist / Und schwer zu fassen der Gott' (Near is / And hard to grasp the God).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Directions

Ist es nahe?
In der Nähe von...
Die nächste Querstraße
Ganz nah hier

Relationships

Ein naher Freund
Wir stehen uns nahe
Jemanden näher kennenlernen
Familiäre Nähe

Time

In naher Zukunft
Der Termin ist nahe
Nächste Woche
Zeitnah antworten

Emotions

Das geht mir nahe
Jemandem zu nahe treten
Emotionale Nähe
Sich nah fühlen

Travel

Nahverkehr
Nächster Halt
Nahe am Flughafen
In der nahen Umgebung

Iniciadores de conversa

"Wohnst du nahe bei deiner Arbeit oder musst du weit fahren?"

"Welche Person in deiner Familie steht dir am nächsten?"

"Gibt es ein gutes italienisches Restaurant in der Nähe?"

"Was möchtest du in der nahen Zukunft unbedingt erreichen?"

"Ist dir schon mal ein Film oder ein Buch sehr nahe gegangen?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe deinen Lieblingsort in der nahen Umgebung deines Hauses.

Wer ist ein naher Freund von dir und warum steht ihr euch so nahe?

Was sind deine Pläne für die nächste Woche und die nahe Zukunft?

Gab es eine Situation, in der dir jemand zu nahe getreten ist?

Wie wichtig ist dir die räumliche Nähe zu deiner Familie?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

In most cases, they mean the same thing. 'Nah' is the short form used when the word is not before a noun (e.g., 'Das ist nah'). 'Nahe' is the full form used before nouns (e.g., 'ein naher Freund') or in formal writing.

As a preposition, 'nahe' usually takes the dative case (e.g., 'nahe dem Wald'). However, its synonym 'unweit' takes the genitive.

The most common way is 'in der Nähe'. For example, 'Gibt es eine Bank in der Nähe?'

Yes, it is very common for time. 'Die Prüfung ist nahe' means the exam is coming soon.

It means to have a close emotional relationship with someone, like a best friend or family member.

Usually, yes. But it literally means 'nearest'. In many contexts, the nearest thing in a sequence is the next one.

You don't! The 'h' is silent. It just tells you to pronounce the 'a' as a long vowel.

The comparative is 'näher' (closer). Don't forget the umlaut!

No, but you can use the reflexive verb 'sich nähern', which means 'to approach'.

It means to suggest or recommend something strongly but politely.

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