こう・
こう・そう・ああ point to a way of doing something, a condition, or a situation understood from context. どう asks for the unknown way or condition.
Choosing the right form
こう often presents the speaker's own demonstration: “this way.” そう points back to a way shown, requested, or mentioned by someone else: “that way.” ああ points to a more distant or mutually remembered way, while どう asks which way or what condition applies.
Showing how to do something
この線に沿って、こう切ってください。
Please cut along this line like this.
AnalyzeThe speaker can say this while physically demonstrating the cut.
Asking about a procedure
どう asks for the procedure, and こう supplies it through a demonstration.
Referring to an indicated or remembered action
次は青いボタンを押してください。—はい、そうします。
Next, please press the blue button. — Okay, I'll do that.
Analyzeそう refers directly to the requested action.
去年、みんなで海に飛び込んだね。またああして遊びたいね。
Last year, we all jumped into the sea, didn't we? I'd like to have fun like that again.
Analyzeああ points back to an experience both speakers remember.
Asking about a condition or opinion
Here the answer describes the room's condition rather than explaining a procedure.
Do not put these forms directly before a noun
こう・そう・ああ・どう describe a way or condition and do not directly modify a noun. To describe what kind of noun you mean, choose the こんな・そんな・あんな・どんな series or the こういう・そういう・ああいう・どういう series instead.
Not every occurrence of the same word means “that way”
On this page, そう points back to a manner, action, or situation. The separate appearance construction says that something looks a certain way, while the hearsay construction reports what someone has said; their attachment and meanings must be learned separately.
More examples
このレバーを上げると、ふたはこう開きます。
When you raise this lever, the lid opens like this.
Analyze店員は「予約が必要です」と言いました。案内にもそう書いてあります。
The clerk said that a reservation was required. The information guide says the same thing.
Analyze駅へはどう行きますか。
How do I get to the station?
Analyze新しいパソコンはどうですか。
How is your new computer?
Analyze母に「薬を飲んで休みなさい」と言われたので、そうしました。
My mother told me to take my medicine and rest, so I did.
Analyze昔はみんなで肩を組んで歌ったね。またああして歌いたい。
We used to sing with our arms around each other's shoulders. I'd like to sing like that again.
Analyze