The area or position close to something or someone; beside; nearby.
駅のそばにコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store near the station.
子供はいつも母親のそばを離れない。
The child never leaves his mother's side.
窓のそばに座って外の景色を見た。
I sat by the window and looked at the view outside.
Used after the attributive form of a verb to mean 'as soon as' or 'immediately after' (e.g., 連絡したそばから).
連絡したそばから返事が来た。
A reply came as soon as I contacted them.
掃除したそばから子供がまた散らかした。
Right after I cleaned, the children made a mess again.
頼んだそばから商品が届いた。
The item arrived immediately after I ordered it.