そば

そば (also written as 側(そば)) indicates being close to or near something, without specifying the exact position.

Common patterns

• ～のそばに: near ~, beside ~
• そばにいる: to be nearby, to be by someone's side
• そばに来(く)る: to come close
• そばを通(とお)る: to pass by

Similar words

• そば: general proximity — nearby, within reach
• 隣(となり): directly adjacent, next to
• 近(ちか)く: nearby — a wider radius; 駅(えき)の近(ちか)く can be a few minutes' walk away, while 駅(えき)のそば suggests right by it

Usage

そば can express emotional closeness, as in そばにいたい (I want to be by your side). This figurative use is common in songs and personal expressions.

Watch out

Not to be confused with 蕎麦(そば) (buckwheat noodles), which is a completely different word.