German Phrase
Steh nicht so nah.
Meaning
A direct but polite request telling someone to keep a greater distance. It can be used when someone is standing too close for comfort, for example on a crowded train, in a line, or during a personal conversation.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal situations when you address the person with du (friend, child, peer). In a formal context you would switch to the Sie‑form: ‘Stehen Sie bitte nicht so nah.’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Stehnichtsonah
Imperative (du)
‘Steh’ is the du‑imperative of the verb stehen (to stand). For regular verbs the du‑imperative is the verb stem plus –e, but the –e is often dropped in spoken German.
Negation with nicht
‘nicht’ negates the whole command. In negative imperatives it is placed directly after the verb.
Intensifier ‘so’
‘so’ intensifies the following adjective/adverb, here ‘nah’, meaning ‘that close’ or ‘so close’.
Adverb ‘nah’
‘nah’ is used adverbially to describe proximity. The adjective form is ‘nahe’, which would need a noun (e.g., ‘nahe dem Haus’).
🗨In Conversation
Steh nicht so nah.
Don't stand so close.
Entschuldigung, ich wollte nicht stören.
Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb.
✕Common Mistakes
Steh nicht so nahe.
‘nahe’ is the adjective form and needs a noun (e.g., ‘nahe dem Haus’). For the adverbial meaning ‘close’, use ‘nah’.
Steh nicht zu nah.
‘zu’ would change the meaning to ‘too close’, which is possible but changes the nuance; the original phrase uses ‘so’ to stress the current distance.
Steh so nicht nah.
Placing ‘nicht’ after ‘so’ (e.g., ‘Steh so nicht nah’) is ungrammatical in German.
↔Alternatives
Bitte halte Abstand.
Please keep some distance.
Bleib bitte ein Stück weiter weg.
Please stay a little farther away.
Stehen Sie bitte nicht so nah.
Please don't stand so close (formal).
Cultural Tip
Germans generally respect personal space, especially in public transport and queues. Saying ‘Steh nicht so nah’ is considered informal but courteous. If you need to be more polite or are speaking to a stranger, use the formal form ‘Stehen Sie bitte nicht so nah’ or a softer request like ‘Könnten Sie bitte etwas Abstand halten?’