GENERAL INFO

Près means "near" or "close." It functions as an adverb or, more commonly, as part of the prepositional phrase "près de" (near/close to).

USAGE

Use "près de" before a noun or pronoun to indicate physical proximity: "Il habite près de la mer." (He lives near the sea.) As an adverb, it can mean "closely" in phrases like "regarder de près" (to look closely).

TRAPS

Do not confuse "près" (near) with "prêt" (ready). Remember to always use "de" after "près" when followed by a noun or pronoun (e.g., "près *de* moi," not "près moi").