こういう・
こういう・そういう・ああいう describe the kind, description, or situation represented by something in the context. どういう asks for that description or explanation.
Choosing the right form
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| Form | Main source of the description | Typical idea |
|---|---|---|
| こういう | The speaker's explanation or demonstration | this kind of; like this |
| そういう | The listener's words or something just mentioned | that kind of; like that |
| ああいう | A shared memory or recognizable example | that sort of; like that |
| どういう | Information the speaker wants explained | what kind of; what does ... mean |
The noun is essential: these sequences directly modify the noun that follows.
Describing a type
こういう often introduces the speaker's own example or explanation, while ああいう points toward a type that the speakers can already picture.
Responding to what someone said
来月から毎朝五時に起きて勉強するつもりです。
Starting next month, I intend to get up at five every morning and study.
Analyzeそういう生活を毎日続けるのは大変ですよ。
Keeping up that kind of routine every day will be hard.
Analyzeそういう生活 packages the routine that speaker A has just described.
Asking for an explanation
この言葉はどういう意味ですか。
What does this word mean?
AnalyzeLiterally: What kind of meaning does this word have?
どういう asks for explanatory content here, not for the listener to choose one item from a list.
Type, quality, selection, and naming
こういう and related forms are especially useful when explaining or classifying a type. The こんな series often presents an immediate quality or impression more directly, though the two series overlap and both may be natural in some contexts. The この series selects a specific thing rather than describing its type. The pattern noun + という + noun names or labels something instead of pointing to a context-based kind.
More examples
こういう問題は一人でゆっくり考えたほうがいい。
It is better to think through this kind of problem slowly on your own.
Analyzeそういう考え方もありますね。
That is one way of looking at it.
Analyze子どものころ、ああいう古い電車によく乗りました。
When I was a child, I often rode old trains like those.
Analyze新しい店はどういう雰囲気でしたか。
What was the new shop's atmosphere like?
Analyze私はこういう静かな場所で本を読むのが好きです。
I like reading books in quiet places like this.
Analyzeどういう理由で計画が変わったのですか。
Why was the plan changed?
AnalyzeLiterally: For what kind of reason was the plan changed?