fùjìn: 附近 - Nearby, Vicinity, In the area

• Keywords: fujin, 附近, nearby in Chinese, around here in Chinese, how to say vicinity in Chinese, Chinese word for nearby, fujin meaning, Chinese location words, HSK 2.
• Summary: Learn how to use 附近 (fùjìn), the essential Chinese word for “nearby” or “in the vicinity”. This comprehensive guide covers the fùjìn meaning, practical examples for asking “what's around here in Chinese?”, and cultural nuances for navigating daily life. Master one of the most common Chinese location words to find what you need, from the nearest subway station to the best local restaurant.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fùjìn
• Part of Speech: Noun / Localizer
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: The area, space, or places close to a particular point or location.
• In a Nutshell: 附近 (fùjìn) is your go-to word for “nearby,” “around here,” or “in the vicinity.” It doesn't refer to a precise, measured distance but rather a general, convenient area. It's the word you use to ask for the nearest bathroom, find a good restaurant in the area, or say you live close to your office. It describes a bubble of convenience around a reference point.

• 附 (fù): This character means “to attach” or “to be near.” The radical on the left (阝) is a form of 阜, which relates to mounds or places. The right side (付) provides the sound and means “to hand over.” Think of it as one place being “attached” to another.
• 近 (jìn): This character simply means “near” or “close.” It's composed of the “axe” radical (斤) and the “movement” radical (辶), suggesting moving only a short distance.
• Together, 附近 (fùjìn) literally means “attached near,” perfectly capturing the concept of an area that is closely connected or adjacent to a point of reference.

While “nearby” seems like a universal concept, 附近 (fùjìn) carries a specific weight in the context of modern China's urban planning and lifestyle. In the West, a “neighborhood” can be a sprawling residential area where a car is needed to run errands. In China's dense, mixed-use cities, the area 附近 is expected to be a vibrant, self-sufficient hub. This aligns with the government-promoted concept of a “15-minute community circle” (一刻钟便民生活圈 - yīkèzhōng biànmín shēnghuóquān), where residents should be able to fulfill all their basic needs—shopping, dining, recreation, healthcare—within a 15-minute walk from their home. Therefore, when someone in China talks about what's 附近, they often have a higher expectation of convenience and variety than a Westerner might associate with “nearby.” It implies a walkable, accessible space packed with amenities, which is a cornerstone of modern Chinese urban life.

附近 (fùjìn) is an extremely common and versatile word used in countless daily situations.

• Asking for Directions: It's the key word for finding anything. The structure is usually “这附近有 [Place] 吗？” (Is there a [Place] nearby?).
• Describing Location: To say you live or work near a landmark, you use the structure “[Landmark] + 附近”. For example, “我住在公司附近” (I live near the company).
• Digital Life and Apps: 附近 is a primary filter in Chinese apps. On map apps (百度地图 Bǎidù Dìtú), food delivery apps (美团 Měituán), and social apps (微信 Wēixìn), the “Nearby” (附近) function is used to find restaurants, stores, or even people in your immediate vicinity.
• Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both very casual conversations and more formal, written contexts without issue.

• Example 1:
  • 请问，附近有银行吗？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, fùjìn yǒu yínháng ma?
  • English: Excuse me, is there a bank nearby?
  • Analysis: This is the most classic and useful pattern for tourists and learners. “附近有…吗？” is a fundamental sentence for finding places.
• Example 2:
  • 我家附近有一个很大的公园。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā fùjìn yǒu yī gè hěn dà de gōngyuán.
  • English: There is a very big park near my home.
  • Analysis: This shows the standard grammatical structure: Noun (我家) + Localizer (附近). It literally means “My home's vicinity.”
• Example 3:
  • 我们在公司附近吃午饭吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zài gōngsī fùjìn chī wǔfàn ba.
  • English: Let's have lunch near the company.
  • Analysis: Here, “公司附近” acts as the location where the action (eating lunch) takes place.
• Example 4:
  • 这附近的交通很方便。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fùjìn de jiāotōng hěn fāngbiàn.
  • English: The transportation around here is very convenient.
  • Analysis: 附近 can be modified by 这 (this) or 那 (that) to mean “this area” or “that area.” Here, “这附近” functions as the subject of the sentence.
• Example 5:
  • 你知道附近有什么好吃的吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào fùjìn yǒu shénme hǎochī de ma?
  • English: Do you know what's good to eat nearby?
  • Analysis: A very practical and friendly question. “好吃的” literally means “good-to-eat-things.” This is how you ask for food recommendations in an area.
• Example 6:
  • 他就住在附近，五分钟就能到。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiù zhù zài fùjìn, wǔ fēnzhōng jiù néng dào.
  • English: He lives just nearby, he can be here in five minutes.
  • Analysis: In this context, 附近 is used alone to mean “nearby” without a specific reference point, as the context (here) is already understood.
• Example 7:
  • 昨天晚上，地铁站附近发生了一起交通事故。
  • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǎnshàng, dìtiězhàn fùjìn fāshēng le yī qǐ jiāotōng shìgù.
  • English: Last night, a traffic accident occurred near the subway station.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal, news-report style usage. The structure remains the same: Landmark (地铁站) + 附近.
• Example 8:
  • 这附近的房价太贵了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fùjìn de fángjià tài guì le.
  • English: The housing prices in this area are too expensive.
  • Analysis: A common complaint in big cities. Again, “这附近” (this area) acts as the topic of the sentence.
• Example 9:
  • 我用手机搜一下附近的咖啡馆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yòng shǒujī sōu yīxià fùjìn de kāfēiguǎn.
  • English: I'll use my phone to search for nearby coffee shops.
  • Analysis: This reflects modern usage with technology. “附近的咖啡馆” means “coffee shops that are nearby.”
• Example 10:
  • 这个小镇很安静，附近什么都没有。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge xiǎozhèn hěn ānjìng, fùjìn shénme dōu méiyǒu.
  • English: This town is very quiet, there's nothing around here.
  • Analysis: Shows a negative usage. The structure “什么都/也 + 没有” means “nothing at all.”

• 附近 (fùjìn) vs. 旁边 (pángbiān): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 旁边 (pángbiān) means “next to” or “beside.” It implies direct physical adjacency.
    • Correct: 银行就在邮局旁边。 (The bank is right next to the post office.)
  • 附近 (fùjìn) means “in the vicinity of” or “nearby.” It describes a general area, not necessarily right next door.
    • Correct: 学校附近有很多餐馆。 (There are many restaurants near the school. They might be across the street or down the block.)
  • Common Mistake: Using 附近 when you mean something is directly beside another. Saying “我的杯子在电脑附近” (My cup is in the vicinity of the computer) sounds strange; you should say “我的杯子在电脑旁边” (My cup is next to the computer).
• Grammar Trap for English Speakers: In English, we say “near the school.” In Chinese, the location word comes *after* the noun. It's always “[Place] + 附近”.
  • Incorrect: 我住在附近学校。(I live nearby school.)
  • Correct: 我住在学校附近。(I live school-nearby.)
• Referring to People: You generally don't use 附近 to describe the person physically next to you.
  • Incorrect: 我附近的男人很高。(The man in my vicinity is tall.) This sounds like you're talking about a random man somewhere in your neighborhood.
  • Correct: 我旁边的男人很高。(The man next to me is tall.)

• 旁边 (pángbiān) - Next to, beside. Describes something directly adjacent, a much smaller range than 附近.
• 周围 (zhōuwéi) - Around, surrounding. Similar to 附近 but often implies a 360-degree encirclement. You can talk about the trees 周围 the lake (surrounding the lake).
• 对面 (duìmiàn) - Opposite, across from. A specific location word for something on the other side of a street or barrier.
• 隔壁 (gébì) - Next door. Specifically used for the adjacent apartment, house, or office. It's a more specific version of 旁边 for buildings/rooms.
• 近 (jìn) - Near, close. The single-character adjective and verb form. You can say “我的学校很近” (My school is very near).
• 远 (yuǎn) - Far, distant. The direct antonym of 近.
• 临近 (línjìn) - Approaching, close to. A more formal and written word used for both space and time (e.g., 临近春节 - as Spring Festival approaches).
• 地点 (dìdiǎn) - Location, place, site. A general noun for a location.