šalia / netoli + genitive
Next to and Near
Šalia means next to and netoli means near. Both take the genitive: šalia banko (next to the bank), netoli centro (near the center).
How It Works
The genitive after šalia and netoli
- bankas → šalia banko (next to the bank)
- stotis → netoli stoties (near the station)
- namai → netoli namų (near home)
- aš → šalia manęs (next to me), tu → šalia tavęs, jis → šalia jo
How close?
- šalia: right beside, side by side: Kavinė yra šalia banko.
- netoli: in the area, a short distance away: Gyvenu netoli centro.
- prie: at or by, often touching or facing: Sėdžiu prie lango. See By and At With Prie.
Netoli is ne + toli (far). To say far from, use toli nuo: Gyvenu toli nuo centro. See From and Since With Nuo.
Used alone
When the place is clear, drop the noun: Parduotuvė visai šalia. (The shop is right next door.) Ar toli iki stoties? – Ne, netoli. (Is it far to the station? – No, it is not far.)
Examples (6)
- Kavinė yra šalia banko.
The café is next to the bank.
Word by Word: Café is next-to bank-GEN.
- Sėsk šalia manęs.
Sit next to me.
Word by Word: Sit next-to me-GEN.
aš becomes the genitive manęs.
- Gyvenu netoli centro.
I live near the center.
Word by Word: (I) live not-far center-GEN.
- Netoli stoties yra geras viešbutis.
There is a good hotel near the station.
Word by Word: Not-far station-GEN is good hotel.
- Mūsų mokykla visai netoli.
Our school is very close.
Word by Word: Our school quite not-far.
Here netoli is an adverb with no noun after it.
- Šalia namo auga didelis ąžuolas.
A big oak grows next to the house.
Word by Word: Next-to house-GEN grows big oak.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative after šalia.
Kavinė yra šalia banką.Kavinė yra šalia banko.Šalia always takes the genitive: bankas becomes banko.
Using su to introduce the person meant by next to.
Sėsk šalia su manimi.Sėsk šalia manęs.For the meaning “next to me”, šalia directly governs genitive manęs. A separate su manimi phrase would mean “with me”, not the person governed by šalia.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Šalia and netoli describe proximity and select a genitive complement.
Related Patterns
- tarp + genitiveBetween and Among with Tarp
Tarp means between, another place word with the genitive.
Level 3 - už + genitiveBehind with Už
Už + genitive means behind.
Level 3 - nuo + genitiveFrom and Since with Nuo
Toli nuo means far from, the opposite of netoli.
Level 2 - Personal Pronoun Case Forms
The genitive pronouns: manęs, tavęs, jo, jos.
Level 2 - Locative of Place
The locative says where something is inside: banke, stotyje.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice šalia / netoli + genitive in Bubblegum
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