Confirming a landmark on a route in Japanese

The idea

近く means near, while 隣 means immediately next to. After 渡ってから, the next action follows the crossing; んですね repeats your understanding for confirmation.

Examples

• すみません、駅えきへの道みちに、大おおきい橋はしがありますか。Excuse me, is there a big bridge on the way to the station?
• はい、川かわに赤あかい橋はしがあります。Yes, there is a red bridge over the river.
• その橋はしは、郵便局ゆうびんきょくの近ちかくですか。Is that bridge near the post office?
• はい、郵便局ゆうびんきょくの隣となりです。Yes, it is next to the post office.
• 橋はしを渡わたってから、右みぎに曲まがるんですね。So I cross the bridge and then turn right, is that correct?
• はい、橋はしを渡わたったら、右みぎに曲まがってください。Yes, after crossing the bridge, please turn right.

Watch out

Near does not necessarily mean next door. Also, turn after crossing, not before reaching the bridge.

Try it yourself

1. その橋はしは、郵便局ゆうびんきょくの＿＿ですか。（近ちかく／中なか）

   Show answer or example answer

   近く

   近く asks whether the bridge is near the post office.

2. 橋はしは郵便局ゆうびんきょくの＿＿です。（隣となり／上うえ）

   Show answer or example answer

   隣

   隣 specifies that the bridge is next to the post office.

3. 橋はしを＿＿から、右みぎに曲まがります。（渡わたって／食たべて）

   Show answer or example answer

   渡って

   渡ってから places the right turn after crossing the bridge.

Use it today

Read the exchange aloud, then replace the bridge and post office with landmarks on a route you know.