Inklingo

How to Say "proximity" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cercanía

nounA2formal
Use this for the general sense of being physically close to something, like a place or a person, emphasizing the ease of access or relation.

Examples

La cercanía del hotel a la playa es perfecta.

The closeness of the hotel to the beach is perfect.

proximidad

/prok-see-mee-dahd//pɾoksi-miˈðað/

nounB1formal
Opt for this when referring to physical or spatial closeness, often in a more technical or descriptive context, highlighting the state of being near.
Two small birds sitting very close to each other on a single tree branch.

Examples

La proximidad de la escuela es una gran ventaja para nosotros.

The proximity of the school is a great advantage for us.

Debido a la proximidad del mar, el clima es muy húmedo.

Due to the closeness of the sea, the climate is very humid.

Los sensores detectan la proximidad de cualquier objeto.

The sensors detect the proximity of any object.

Always Feminine

In Spanish, words that end in '-dad' are almost always 'feminine,' meaning you should use 'la' or 'una' with them.

Using 'De' to connect

When you want to say 'proximity TO' something, Spanish usually uses the word 'de' (of). For example: 'la proximidad DE la playa' (the proximity of the beach).

Confusing with the adjective

Mistake: “La casa es proximidad.”

Correction: La casa está cerca (The house is near) or 'La proximidad de la casa' (The proximity of the house). You cannot use 'proximidad' as a descriptor like 'near'; it is a name for the concept of closeness.

Choosing Between Cercanía and Proximidad

Learners often confuse 'cercanía' and 'proximidad' because they both mean 'closeness.' However, 'cercanía' is the more common and versatile term for everyday physical closeness, while 'proximidad' is often used in more formal or specific contexts referring to spatial relationships.

Related Translations

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