vicinity vs neighborhood

[dervast]

Hello everyone
Could you please help me understand the difference between vicinity and neighborhood?
When do you use each one of these two words?

I would like to thank you in advance for your help.
Best Regards
Alex.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello everyone
Could you please help me understand the difference between vicinity and neighborhood?
When do you use each one of these two words?

I would like to thank you in advance for your help.
Best Regards
Alex.

Vicinity generally simply means somewhere nearby.

A neighbourhood can be a delineated area that might even have a name. There may be several recognised neighbourhoods within a town or city.

Example:

Is there a bank in the vicinity? Here, you would want to know if there is a bank near your current location, within a reasonably short distance. The answer might be "No, I'm afraid there's not" or "Yes, there's one just around the corner."

Is there a bank in this neighbourhood? Here, you are asking if there is a bank within a specific area of the town. The answer here would probably be "Yes, there are lots of them in the neighbourhood. Which bank do you need?"

 

[dervast]

Thanks for the answer.. so for me they look quite the same as they can be used both to ask if there is a bank(something) close.

Vicinity generally simply means somewhere nearby.

A neighbourhood can be a delineated area that might even have a name. There may be several recognised neighbourhoods within a town or city.

Example:

Is there a bank in the vicinity? Here, you would want to know if there is a bank near your current location, within a reasonably short distance. The answer might be "No, I'm afraid there's not" or "Yes, there's one just around the corner."

Is there a bank in this neighbourhood? Here, you are asking if there is a bank within a specific area of the town. The answer here would probably be "Yes, there are lots of them in the neighbourhood. Which bank do you need?"

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks for the answer.. so for me they look quite the same as they can be used both to ask if there is a bank(something) close.

Well, as I said, they're similar but not quite the same. I would say that neighbourhood refers to a larger area.

 

[SoothingDave]

Not a teacher.

"Neighborhood" implies that you are somewhere near structures and other buildings and people.

You could be out in the middle of nowhere and still talk about what is in your vicinity.