In English, we use “this” and “that” all the time but Japanese takes it a step further. Instead of just two levels of distance, Japanese offers three: things close to you, close to the person you’re talking to, and far from both. On top of that, Japanese adds a fourth layer with a question word. These patterns are called こそあど words, and they show up across many types of words in Japanese from objects to people, places, and ideas.
こそあど words
Words like “this,” “that,” “that over there,” and “which?”
Usage Pattern
- これ／それ／あれ／どれ: this / that / that over there / which (used alone)
- この／その／あの／どの + noun : this / that / that over there / which (with a noun)
ここ／そこ／あそこ／どこ : here / there / over there / where
Details
JLPT Level: N5
How to Use It
These word sets are based on distance:
こ- (near the speaker)
そ- (near the listener)
あ- (far from both)
ど- (question)
Use これ／それ／あれ when replacing a noun. Use この／その／あの before a noun. For places, use ここ／そこ／あそこ. And to ask questions, use どれ, どの, or どこ, depending on what you’re asking about.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
これはなんですか。
これ は なん ですか。
Kore wa nan desu ka?
What is this?
Example 2
そのノートは高かったですか。
その のーと は たかかった ですか。
Sono nōto wa takakatta desu ka?
Was that notebook expensive?
Example 3
あの店は人気があります。
あの みせ は にんき が あります。
Ano mise wa ninki ga arimasu.
That store over there is popular.
Example 4
トイレはどこですか。
といれ は どこ ですか。
Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where is the bathroom?