N5 · The basic sentence
This, that and which
the ko-so-a-do words
これ, それ, あれ and どれ stand alone; この, その, あの and どの need a noun after them.
English has two pointing words, "this" and "that". Japanese has three, plus a question: ko- for what is near the speaker, so- for what is near the listener, a- for what is away from both, and do- to ask. Holding a pen, you say これ; pointing at the pen in your friend's hand, それ; pointing at a building across the street, あれ.
Each comes in two shapes. これ, それ, あれ and どれ are pronouns and stand on their own: これは何ですか. この, その, あの and どの cannot stand alone; they always come before a noun: この本, あの人. English "this" does both jobs, which is why learners say これ本 for "this book".
The same three-way split runs through a whole family of words: ここ, そこ, あそこ, どこ for places; こちら, そちら, あちら, どちら for directions and polite speech; こう, そう, ああ, どう for ways of doing things. Learn the system once, and every new row is already half known.
In conversation the split also applies to things that are not in sight. So- points to something the other person has just mentioned; a- points to something both people already know. Told about a new café, you ask about そのカフェ; remembering a café you went to together, you say あのカフェ. English uses "that" for both, so this is where English speakers pick the wrong one. And for a choice between two things, Japanese uses どちら rather than どれ.
The form
| this one (near me) | これ |
| that one (near you) | それ |
| that one over there | あれ |
| which one? | どれ |
| this book | この本 |
| that book (near you) | その本 |
| that book over there | あの本 |
| which book? | どの本 |
| which of the two? | どちら |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
こ is near the speaker, そ near the listener, あ away from both, and ど asks.
それは何ですか。What is that (you have there)?
これ, それ, あれ and どれ stand on their own.
あれは市役所です。That over there is the city hall.
この, その, あの and どの always come before a noun.
この電車は東京に行きますか。Does this train go to Tokyo?
そ points to something just mentioned; あ to something both speakers already know.
あの映画、また見たいですね。I would love to see that film again, wouldn't you?
A choice between two uses どちら; among three or more, どれ.
コーヒーと紅茶、どちらがいいですか。Coffee or tea — which would you like?
A closer look
One system, many rows
The four prefixes combine with a handful of endings, and each ending gives a row of four words: -re for things (これ), -no before a noun (この), -ko for places (ここ), -chira for directions and politeness (こちら), -u for manner (こう, "like this") and -nna for kind (こんな, "this kind of"). Six rows of four, learned as one table.
The most common so- word of all hides in plain sight: そうですか, "is that so?", points back at what the other person has just said. Once you notice it, you hear the system everywhere — どうですか"how is it?"そうしましょう"let's do that"
Exceptions and special cases (1)
-
you mean a place over there
the word is あそこ, not あこ.
出口はあそこです。The exit is over there.
It is the one irregular member of the place row; the extra syllable is simply part of the word.
How to spot it
- これ
- それ
- あれ
- どれ
- この
- その
- あの
- どの
Example sentences
これを三つください。Three of these, please.
その傘はだれのですか。Whose is that umbrella?
あの人は山田さんです。That person over there is Mr Yamada.
どれが一番人気がありますか。Which one is the most popular?
この近くに銀行はありますか。Is there a bank near here?
どの電車に乗りますか。Which train are you taking?
8 more example sentences
それはいい考えですね。That is a good idea.
あれは富士山ですか。Is that Mount Fuji over there?
このかばんは少し重いです。This bag is a little heavy.
その話は本当ですか。Is that story true?
あのころは楽しかったですね。Those were good days, weren't they.
どの色が好きですか。Which colour do you like?
これとそれ、どちらが安いですか。Which is cheaper, this one or that one?
そのペンを貸してください。Could you lend me that pen?
Worth knowing (2)
-
そ for what was just said
When the other person tells you something, it becomes "theirs" in the conversation, and you refer to it with so-: そうですか, それはいいですね. Using a- here would suggest you already knew about it.
「来週、大阪に行きます。」「そうですか。それはいいですね。」"I am going to Osaka next week." "Really? That sounds nice."
-
あれ as surprise
On its own, with a rising voice, あれ？ is what people say when something is not as they expected — the Japanese "huh?". It has nothing to point at; the surprise is the meaning.
あれ？鍵がありません。Huh? My key is gone.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "this" works alone and before a noun. Japanese splits the two jobs: これaloneこのbefore a noun これ本 sounds like two separate words that happen to be next to each other.
The words ending in re stand alone; the words ending in no need a noun.
Your turn
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