そば

noun

beside, near

1. beside, near, close to

A position close to something or someone. Not necessarily directly adjacent.

そばに来(き)て。

Come to my side.

私(わたし)のそばに来(き)てください。

Please come to my side.

窓(まど)のそばに座(すわ)っています。

I'm sitting by the window.

駅(えき)のそばにコンビニがあります。

There is a convenience store near the station.

母(はは)のそばにいたいです。離(はな)れて住(す)むのは寂(さび)しいです。

I want to be by my mother's side. It's lonely living apart.

そば (also written as 側(そば)) indicates being close to or near something. It's less specific than 隣(となり) (which means directly adjacent). そば often implies a sense of proximity or being within reach. It can also suggest emotional closeness, as in staying 'by someone's side.' Note: This is different from そば (蕎麦), which is buckwheat noodles.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:32 · Revised 2026.2.21 11:27

00500/00989_soba