……
Note
側 is usually written using kana alone as そば, and indicates proximity or nearness to something or someone, without specifying a particular side.
側 specifies a particular side or aspect of something. Often used with direction words to indicate specific sides, such as right, left, this side, that side, etc.
Breakdown of soba
side
側
You have a person who rules you by your side.
Usages of soba
彼 は いつも 私 の そば に います。kare wa itsumo watashi no soba ni imasu.
He is always by my side.
駅 の そば に 住んで います。eki no soba ni sunde imasu.
I live near the station.
図書館 は 学校 の そば に あります。toshokan wa gakkou no soba ni arimasu.
The library is near the school.
彼 の そば に 座りました。kare no soba ni suwarimashita.
I sat beside him.
Test yourself: What does soba mean?
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“How do verb conjugations work in Japanese?”
Japanese verbs conjugate based on tense, politeness, and mood. For example, the polite present form adds ‑ます to the verb stem, while the past tense uses ‑ました. Unlike English, Japanese verbs don't change based on the subject — the same form works for "I", "you", and "they".
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