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How to Say "adjacent" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “adjacent” is “cercano” — use 'cercano' when referring to something that is simply near or close by, not necessarily touching or directly next to.

English → Spanish

cercano

sehr-KAH-nohseɾˈkano

adjectiveA1general
Use 'cercano' when referring to something that is simply near or close by, not necessarily touching or directly next to.
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.

vecino

veh-SEE-nohbeˈθino

adjectiveB1general
Use 'vecino' to describe something that is physically next to or bordering something else, often used for places like towns or properties.
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'.

pegado

peh-GAH-dohpeˈɣa.ðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'pegado' when two things, especially buildings or properties, are directly touching or built right next to each other.
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).

contiguo

kon-TEE-gwokonˈti.ɣwo

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'contiguo' to indicate direct physical proximity, often implying being next to in a more formal or architectural sense, like adjoining rooms or properties.
Two small identical houses with red roofs and yellow walls sitting side-by-side on a green lawn with no space between them.

Examples

Mi oficina está en el despacho contiguo.

My office is in the adjoining room.

Las dos casas son contiguas y comparten un jardín.

The two houses are adjacent and share a garden.

Buscamos un terreno contiguo al nuestro para ampliar la granja.

We are looking for a plot of land next to ours to expand the farm.

Matching the Noun

Since this is a describing word, its ending must change to match what you are talking about. Use 'contiguo' for masculine things (el cuarto contiguo) and 'contigua' for feminine things (la habitación contigua).

Using it with 'a'

When you want to say something is adjacent 'to' something else, always use the little word 'a'. For example: 'El garaje es contiguo a la casa'.

Don't forget the 'a'

Mistake: “La cocina es contigua la sala.”

Correction: La cocina es contigua a la sala.

Distinguishing 'Pegado' and 'Contiguo'

Learners often confuse 'pegado' and 'contiguo'. While both mean next to, 'pegado' implies a very close, almost touching proximity, especially for buildings. 'Contiguo' is more formal and can refer to things that are simply next to each other without necessarily touching, like adjoining spaces.

Related Translations

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