Translation guide
In Japanese, demonstratives are a system of words that indicate things relative to the speaker, listener, or a shared context. They are organized into prefixes (こそあど) and cover objects, places, directions, and manners. This guide helps learners choose the right demonstrative based on distance and usage.
Pointing out a specific object or thing, like 'this', 'that', or 'that over there'.
Refers to something near the speaker. Equivalent to 'this'.
これは私の本です。
This is my book.
Refers to something near the listener. Equivalent to 'that' (by you).
それは何ですか。
What is that?
Refers to something far from both speaker and listener. Equivalent to 'that over there'.
あれは東京タワーです。
That over there is Tokyo Tower.
Interrogative: 'which one?' Used when choosing from a group.
どれがあなたの傘ですか。
Which one is your umbrella?
Describing a noun with 'this', 'that', etc., like 'this book' or 'that person'.
Attaches to a noun to mean 'this ~' (near speaker).
Indicating a location: 'here', 'there', 'over there', 'where'.
Place near the speaker: 'here'.
Pointing out a direction or side: 'this way', 'that way', 'which way'.
Polite form for direction/person near speaker: 'this way' or 'this person'. Also used in formal contexts.
Describing how something is done: 'like this', 'in this way', 'how'.
In this way (near speaker). Often used with verbs like する or やる.
Describing a type or kind: 'this kind of', 'like this', 'what kind of'.
This kind of (near speaker). Often used with a noun.
Referring to people politely using demonstratives: 'this person', 'that person', 'which person'.
Using demonstratives to refer to ideas, previous statements, or upcoming information.
Used to introduce a topic or explain something. 'This is ~'.
これは大事なことです。
This is an important matter.
Refers to what the listener just said or a known fact. 'That is ~'.
The こ-series is for things near the speaker, そ-series near the listener, あ-series far from both, and ど-series for questions. This physical distance also applies to psychological distance: こ for speaker's territory, そ for listener's, あ for shared distant context.
これは私の、それはあなたの、あれは彼のです。
This is mine, that is yours, that over there is his.
English speakers often use 'that' for things near the listener, but in Japanese それ is correct. Use あれ only when the object is far from both speaker and listener.
それを取ってください。
Please pass me that (by you).
この本は面白いです。
This book is interesting.
Attaches to a noun to mean 'that ~' (near listener).
そのペンを貸してください。
Please lend me that pen.
Attaches to a noun to mean 'that ~ over there' (far from both).
あの山は富士山です。
That mountain over there is Mt. Fuji.
Interrogative: 'which ~?' Used before a noun.
どの電車に乗りますか。
Which train will you take?
ここに座ってください。
Please sit here.
Place far from both: 'over there'.
あそこに郵便局があります。
There's a post office over there.
Interrogative: 'where'.
トイレはどこですか。
Where is the restroom?
こちらへどうぞ。
This way, please.
Polite form for direction/person near listener: 'that way' or 'that person'.
そちらはどなたですか。
Who is that (person by you)?
Polite form for direction/person far from both: 'that way over there'.
あちらに見えるのが駅です。
What you can see over there is the station.
Polite interrogative: 'which direction' or 'which one' (between two).
出口はどちらですか。
Which way is the exit?
Casual version of こちら: 'this way', 'over here'.
こっち来て。
Come over here.
Casual version of そちら: 'that way', 'over there (by you)'.
そっちはどう？
How is it over there?
Casual version of あちら: 'over there' (far).
あっちに行こう。
Let's go over there.
Casual interrogative: 'which way' or 'which one'.
どっちがいい？
Which one do you prefer?
こうやって書きます。
You write it like this.
In that way (near listener). Also used to mean 'yes' or 'that's right'.
そうしてください。
Please do it like that.
In that way (far from both). Less common in daily speech; often replaced by そう.
ああいうやり方はよくない。
That kind of method is not good.
Interrogative: 'how', 'in what way'.
これはどう使いますか。
How do you use this?
こんなことは初めてです。
This kind of thing has never happened before.
That kind of (near listener). Can also express disbelief: 'No way!'
そんな話は聞いたことがない。
I've never heard that kind of story.
That kind of (far from both).
あんな人になりたい。
I want to become that kind of person.
Interrogative: 'what kind of'.
どんな音楽が好きですか。
What kind of music do you like?
Polite way to say 'this person' (near speaker).
この方は私の先生です。
This person is my teacher.
Polite way to say 'that person' (near listener).
その方はどなたですか。
Who is that person?
Polite way to say 'that person over there'.
あの方は有名な作家です。
That person over there is a famous writer.
Polite interrogative: 'which person'.
どの方が田中さんですか。
Which person is Mr. Tanaka?
それはいい考えですね。
That's a good idea.
Refers to a shared memory or distant past event. 'That (we both know) is ~'.
あれは十年前のことです。
That was ten years ago.
Use こちら/そちら/あちら/どちら in formal situations or with strangers. With friends, こっち/そっち/あっち/どっち is natural. The casual forms are very common in daily speech.
Use こちら/そちら/あちら/どちら in formal situations or with strangers. With friends, こっち/そっち/あっち/どっち is natural. The casual forms are very common in daily speech.