närmaste

Närmaste is a Swedish adjective meaning the closest or nearest. It is the superlative form of the adjective nära (close/near) and is used to indicate the greatest degree of proximity to a reference point, whether in space, time, or in relationships.

In practice, närmaste is used before a definite noun phrase. Examples: den närmaste vägen (the nearest/closest road), det närmaste huset (the closest house), min närmaste vän (my closest friend). In plural definite constructions you would say de närmaste grannarna (the closest neighbors). The form agrees with the noun’s gender and number.

The adverbial form of the same root is närmast, used to express closeness without a following noun or to indicate proximity in time or sequence: Hon står närmast dörren (She stands closest to the door). The related comparative form is närmare, meaning “closer.”

Etymology and morphology: närmaste derives from nearby and uses the standard Swedish superlative suffix -aste, with the stem adjusted to the root nära/nära. This makes it a common choice in both everyday speech and formal writing when specifying the closest option, person, or place.

Typical contexts include directions, social relations, and service or accessibility discussions. While closely related to the basic adjective nära, närmaste conveys a stronger, definitive sense of being the closest among a defined set or reference points.