Italian Phrase
È vicino all'ingresso.
Meaning
Literally, “It is near the entrance.” The sentence is used to indicate that a place, object, or person is located close to the entrance of a building, venue, or area.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving directions, describing the location of a shop, restroom, or any point of interest relative to the main entrance. It’s common in travel, hospitality, and everyday conversations about where things are situated.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èvicinoall'ingresso.
Essere (è)
The verb 'essere' in the third‑person singular present (è) is used to link the subject with a descriptive adjective.
Vicino (adjective)
‘Vicino’ works as a predicative adjective meaning ‘near’; it follows the verb ‘essere’ and agrees in gender and number with the subject.
a + l' → all'
The preposition ‘a’ (to/at) contracts with the definite article ‘l’ before a vowel, forming ‘all’’, which means ‘to the’ or ‘at the’.
🗨In Conversation
Dove è la caffetteria?
Where is the coffee shop?
È vicino all'ingresso.
It’s near the entrance.
✕Common Mistakes
È vicino a l'ingresso.
The preposition ‘a’ must contract with the article ‘l’ → ‘all’’. ‘a l'ingresso’ is ungrammatical.
È vicino l'ingresso.
‘Vicino’ needs the preposition ‘a’ (or its contraction) to indicate the reference point.
È vicino al ingresso.
While ‘al’ (a + il) is correct before a masculine singular noun, ‘ingresso’ starts with a vowel, so the correct form is ‘all’ingresso’.
↔Alternatives
È accanto all'ingresso.
It’s next to the entrance.
Si trova vicino all'ingresso.
It is located near the entrance.
È a due passi dall'ingresso.
It’s a short walk from the entrance.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, ‘vicino’ is an adjective, not an adverb, so it must be linked with a verb like ‘essere’ (è). When the noun that follows starts with a vowel, the preposition ‘a’ contracts with the article ‘l’ → ‘all’’. Native speakers often prefer ‘accanto a’ for a tighter spatial relationship, while ‘vicino a’ is more general.