Inklingo

How to Say "neighboring" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cercanos

/ser-KAH-nos//seɾˈkanos/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'cercanos' to describe places or things that are geographically close or nearest to a specific point.
Two simple, brightly colored wooden houses standing directly adjacent to one another, separated by only a small strip of grass.

Examples

Los hoteles más cercanos a la playa están llenos.

The hotels nearest to the beach are full.

Necesitamos un médico. ¿Hay algunos centros de salud cercanos?

We need a doctor. Are there any nearby health centers?

En los días cercanos al examen, estudiamos mucho.

In the days close to the exam, we studied a lot.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'cercanos' ends in -os, it must describe masculine, plural things (like 'hoteles' or 'días'). If the things were feminine, you would use 'cercanas' (e.g., 'casas cercanas').

Confusing Adjective and Adverb

Mistake: “La tienda es cercanos. (Incorrect agreement)”

Correction: La tienda está cerca. (Use the invariable adverb 'cerca' or the singular adjective 'cercana' if describing the store.)

vecino

veh-SEE-noh/beˈθino/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'vecino' to describe a town, city, or area that is geographically adjacent or next to another.
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'.

próximas

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'próximas' to refer to objects or places that are adjacent or in close proximity, often with a sense of upcoming or imminent.

Examples

Las casas próximas al río sufrieron inundaciones.

The houses close by the river suffered flooding.

contiguo

/kon-TEE-gwo//konˈti.ɣwo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'contiguo' specifically for things that are physically touching or immediately next to each other, like 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.

General Proximity vs. Direct Adjacency

Learners often confuse 'cercanos'/'próximas' (general closeness) with 'vecino'/'contiguo' (direct adjacency). Remember that 'vecino' typically refers to towns or areas, while 'contiguo' means physically next to, like adjoining rooms or properties.

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