近い
0%
Log in to evaluate your pronunciation.
No feedback yet. Please speak to see your results.
Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes physical distance, time proximity, or closeness in relationships.
Theme
User is asking their coworker Yoshida for directions to a nearby café before their lunch break.
近い
ちかい
near, close by, short
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Think of a friend who lives nearby. You say, 『近い』 (chikai, 'near, close by') — it sounds like 'chai-kai,' and you can have chai tea close by!
Cultural Note
『近い』 (chikai) is frequently used in daily conversations to describe proximity, such as distance to a station or closeness in relationships. In Japan, people often ask 『駅は近いですか？』 (eki wa chikai desu ka?, 'Is the station close?') when looking for accommodation.
Forms
Base: 近いBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes physical distance, time proximity, or closeness in relationships.
Negative: 近くないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『近くない』 (chikakunai).
Past: 近かったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『近かった』 (chikakatta).
Adverbial: 近くDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『近く』 (chikaku). Used to modify verbs or other adjectives.
Comparative: より近いComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番近いSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.