Inklingo

How to Say "adjacent" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cercano

sehr-KAH-noh/seɾˈkano/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'cercano' when something is generally near or close by, not necessarily touching but within easy reach or a short distance.
A small, red-roofed house sitting immediately beside a large, green oak tree.

Examples

La farmacia está cercana, solo a dos minutos.

The pharmacy is nearby, only two minutes away.

Vivimos en pueblos cercanos, pero nunca nos habíamos conocido.

We live in nearby towns, but we had never met.

Adjective Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'cercano' must match the thing it describes. Use 'cercana' for feminine things (la casa), 'cercanos' for plural masculine, and 'cercanas' for plural feminine.

pegado

/peh-GAH-doh//peˈɣa.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'pegado' specifically when two buildings or properties are physically touching or directly next to each other, as if 'stuck' together.
A small, red wooden chair standing directly beside and touching a small, blue square table, showing close proximity.

Examples

El supermercado está pegado a la estación de policía.

The supermarket is right next to the police station.

Viajamos en el autobús y ella se sentó pegada a mí.

We traveled on the bus and she sat right next to me.

Using 'A'

When 'pegado' means 'next to' or 'close,' it almost always needs the little word 'a' right after it to connect it to the location: 'pegado a la pared' (stuck to the wall).

vecino

veh-SEE-noh/beˈθino/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'vecino' to describe something that is physically next to or bordering something else, often used for places like cities or neighborhoods.
An aerial view showing two small, distinct towns separated by a narrow river, illustrating them being neighboring areas.

Examples

La ciudad vecina tiene un festival de música este fin de semana.

The neighboring city has a music festival this weekend.

El terreno vecino está a la venta.

The adjacent plot of land is for sale.

Agreement is Key

Since 'vecino' is an adjective here, it must agree in gender and number with the thing it describes: 'el pueblo vecino' (masculine singular), 'las ciudades vecinas' (feminine plural).

Placement

Mistake: “Using the adjective after the noun when describing geographic neighbors (e.g., 'el vecino país').”

Correction: It usually goes before the noun in English, but in Spanish, it typically follows: 'el país vecino' or 'la ciudad vecina'.

Distinguishing 'pegado' from 'cercano'

Learners often confuse 'pegado' and 'cercano'. Remember 'pegado' implies direct physical contact between structures, like apartments sharing a wall. 'Cercano' simply means nearby in distance, not necessarily touching.

Related Translations

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