Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Close, intimate: Describes a relationship characterized by emotional warmth, familiarity, and trust. It implies a personal bond that goes beyond mere acquaintance.
   • Near, proximate: Describes physical or relational closeness, such as being nearby or being a close relative.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy là một người bạn rất thân cận của tôi. (He is a very close friend of mine.)
  • Chỉ những người thân cận nhất mới được mời. (Only the closest people were invited.)
  • Họ hàng thân cận của ông ấy đều sống ở cùng làng. (His close relatives all live in the same village.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or literary contexts to describe trusted aides or close associates of an important figure.
  • Những cộng sự thân cận của tổng thống. (The president's close associates.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thân thiết (adj): intimate, close and friendly. Often interchangeable with "thân cận" but can imply slightly more affection.

  • Chúng tôi có mối quan hệ thân thiết. (We have an intimate relationship.)

• Gần gũi (adj): close, approachable, easy to be near. Emphasizes accessibility and lack of distance.

  • Giáo viên rất gần gũi với học sinh. (The teacher is very approachable with the students.)

Synonyms

• Close: being near in relationship or space.
• Intimate: characterized by a very close personal connection.
• Familiar: well known from long or close association.

Related Idioms

• Thân cận như chân với tay: (lit. as close as feet and hands) describes an inseparable, deeply cooperative relationship.
  • Hai anh em hợp tác kinh doanh, thân cận như chân với tay. (The two brothers are in business together, as close as feet and hands.)

adj

1. close, near