How to Say “near” in Russian

Did you know that we have 3 Russian prepositions than mean “near something” and “by” – рядом с + Instrumental case, около + Genitive case and у + Genitive case. They are synonyms. Probably the preposition у is used when the object (person) is nearer.

For example,

Мы стояли у моря. We were standing by the sea.

Рядом со шкафом стоял стол. The table was near the cupboard.

Около меня стоял известный писатель. A famous writer was standing by my side.