How to Say ‘It’s close.’ in Japanese
近いですね。
chikai desu ne
[chee-kai dess neh]
💬 Usage Tip: As a learner, you can use it to confirm/react: “Oh, it’s close.” It sounds friendly.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Small reactions like this keep the interaction smooth; Japanese conversation loves little acknowledgments.
Phrase Breakdown
近い
chikai
[chee-kai]
near; close
Used to comment that the station/metro is close, often reacting to “five minutes on foot,” etc.
地下鉄の駅は近いですね。
The subway station is close, isn’t it?
ですね
desu ne
isn’t it?; right? (soft confirmation)
です + ね adds politeness and seeks agreement or shows a friendly reaction: “...isn’t it / right?”
今日は寒いですね。
It’s cold today, isn’t it?
Words in this phrase
です
desu
[dess]
(is/am/are); polite copula
Keeps the comment polite; common when speaking to strangers in the street.
近いですね。
It’s close, isn’t it?
ね
ne
[neh]
right?; isn’t it?
Adds a friendly “right?” feeling, inviting agreement.
近いですね。
It’s close, isn’t it?
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