Translation and Meaning of: 隣 - tonari

The Japanese word 隣[となり] is a common term that carries simple yet deeply rooted meanings in communication and culture in Japan. Whether you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding how this word is used can open doors to more natural conversations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing in kanji, and how it appears in the daily lives of Japanese people.

Furthermore, we will explore practical tips to memorize 隣 and interesting facts about its usage in different contexts. Whether to describe the house next door or the nearby seat on the train, this word has a constant presence in Japanese vocabulary. Let's dive into the details that make it such a useful and fascinating expression.

Meaning and use of 隣 [となり]

隣[となり] means "neighbor" or "next to," referring to something or someone that is close in physical position. It can be used to describe people, objects, or places. For example, if you want to talk about the house next to yours, you would say 隣の家[となりのいえ]. The word also appears in contexts like public transportation, where 隣の席[となりのせき] means "the seat next to.".

The interesting thing is that 隣 is not limited to physical spaces. In some cases, it can indicate proximity in sequences or hierarchies. One example is talking about a neighboring year, such as 隣の年[となりのとし]. This flexibility makes the word versatile, but its most common use remains related to the idea of immediate adjacency in space.

Origin and writing of the kanji 隣

The kanji 隣 is composed of the radical 阝(こざとへん), which is associated with hills or elevations, and the part 粦, which originally represented a type of will-o"-the-wisp. Together, these elements suggest the idea of something that is "close, but separate." The etymology reflects well the concept of neighborhood: proximity with a certain distinction.

It's worth noting that 隣 has a kun'yomi reading (となり) and several on'yomi readings, such as リン (rin), but the latter is less common in everyday use. The writing of the kanji can be challenging for beginners due to its 16 strokes, but practicing the components separately helps. A tip is to remember that the radical 阝 always appears on the left side in kanjis related to places or positions.

Tips for memorizing and using 隣

An effective way to remember 隣 is to associate it with concrete situations. Think about your neighborhood: who are your 隣人[となりびと] (neighbors)? Or at work: which colleague sits 隣[となり] to you? Creating these mental connections makes learning more natural. Another tip is to observe the use of the word in animes or dramas, where it frequently appears in everyday dialogues.

Interestingly, 隣 carries cultural weight in Japan. The relationship with neighbors is taken seriously, and the word embodies the notion of respect for shared space. In densely populated cities like Tokyo, knowing who lives next to you can make a difference in coexistence. This social context helps explain why 隣 is not just a dictionary term, but part of an important code of etiquette.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

隣人 (Rinjin) - Neighbor, a person who lives next door.
近隣 (Kinrin) - Neighborhood, nearby areas, refers to a community or nearby locality.
隣接する (Rinsetsu suru) - To be next to, to have a direct connection or boundary between two entities.
隣国 (Rinkoku) - Neighboring country, a nation that shares a border or is close by.
隣家 (Rinka) - Neighboring house refers specifically to the residence of the neighbor.
隣り合う (Narinau) - To be adjacent, to be side by side, generally refers to the position of objects or places.