(The) next means 'after this/that one' in time or in a series of events, places or people.* (the) next 指下一个时间、事情、地点或人：◆When is your next appointment?你下一次预约时间是什么时候？◆Turn left at the next traffic lights.在下一个红绿灯处向左拐。◆Who's next?下一个是谁？(The) nearest means 'closest' in space.* (the) nearest 指空间上最近：◆Where's the nearest supermarket?最近的超市在哪儿？
Notice the difference between the prepositions nearest to and next to.注意介词 nearest to 和 next to 的区别：◆Janet's sitting nearest to the window(= of all the people in the room).珍妮特坐在（屋里所有人中）离窗户最近的地方。◆Sarah's sitting next to the window(= right beside it).萨拉坐在窗户旁边。In informal BrEnearest can be used instead of nearest to.在非正式的英式英语中，nearest 可用以代替 nearest to：◆Who's sitting nearest the door?谁坐在离门最近的地方？