ここ・
ここ, そこ, and あそこ point to places near the speaker, near the listener or at a middle distance, and away from both. どこ asks which place or where.
Choosing the right place word
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Form | Basic choice | Shared view |
|---|---|---|
| ここ | Near the speaker: here | The nearest area |
| そこ | Near the listener: there | A middle-distance area |
| あそこ | Away from both: over there | The farthest area |
| どこ | An unknown place: where | Asks which area |
Distance depends on the situation
When two people face each other, the speaker normally uses ここ for the speaker’s own area and そこ for the listener’s area. When both people look in the same direction, such as at a map, ここ, そこ, and あそこ can mark progressively farther areas.
Looking at a map
地図では、現在地はここ、駅はそこ、美術館はあそこです。
On the map, we are here, the station is there, and the art museum is over there.
AnalyzeThe three places are understood as near, middle-distance, and far areas on the shared map.
The same place can change labels
A calls B’s area “there,” while B calls the same area “here.”
Choose the particle from the verb
The place word does not determine the next particle. Use で for the place where an activity happens. Use に for existence, a destination, or the place where something is put.
Activity versus destination
Asking and answering where
More examples
ここは受付です。
This is the reception desk.
Analyze明日はここで会いましょう。
Let’s meet here tomorrow.
Analyze田中さん、そこで少し待ってください。
Mr. Tanaka, please wait there for a moment.
Analyzeそこに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name there.
Analyzeあそこで子どもたちが遊んでいます。
Children are playing over there.
Analyze集合場所はどこですか。
Where is the meeting place?
Analyze