指First sentences
This, that, over there
Japanese points at things with four word families: near me, near you, away from us both, and “which?”
The system
Four starting sounds, one pattern
Learn the columns and rows, and you know 28 words.
| こ: near me | そ: near you | あ: over there | ど: which? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This thing | これ | それ | あれ | どれ |
| This + noun | この | その | あの | どの |
| Place | ここ | そこ | あそこ | どこ |
| Direction (polite) | こちら | そちら | あちら | どちら |
| Direction (casual) | こっち | そっち | あっち | どっち |
| Kind of | こんな | そんな | あんな | どんな |
| Way | こう | そう | ああ | どう |
The most common trap
これ stands alone, この needs a noun
これ
これは本です。Kore wa hon desu.This is a book.
これ is the thing itself.
この
この本は高いです。Kono hon wa takai desu.This book is expensive.
この comes right before a noun.
In use
Pointing around the room
What's that (near you)?
That building over there is a hospital.
The front desk is this way.
こちら is the polite word for “this way”, and it's also used to introduce people.
This is Suzuki.
What kind of music do you like?
Things you can't see
そ also means “the one you mentioned”
These words also point at things in conversation. When someone tells you about a person or place you don't know, use そ words: その人 is “that person you mentioned.” Use あ words when you both know the thing: あの店 is “that shop, you know the one.”
Check yourself
Where is it?
Your turn
これ or この?
This car is fast.
Say it yourself
At the market
You see something strange in a basket right next to the shopkeeper. Ask what it is.
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