Translation guide
The English pronoun 'it' is often omitted in Japanese. When needed, use それ (sore) for objects near the listener, これ (kore) for objects near the speaker, or あれ (are) for distant objects. For abstract concepts, use そのこと (sono koto) or simply omit the subject.
Pointing to or mentioning a physical thing
Refers to something near the listener or previously mentioned. Use when the object is not near the speaker.
Refers to something near the speaker. Use when the object is close to you.
これは何ですか？
What is this?
Refers to something far from both speaker and listener.
あれは山です。
That over there is a mountain.
When the object is obvious from context, simply drop 'it'. Japanese often omits subjects and objects.
Talking about an idea, fact, or event
Expressing impersonal 'it' in English sentences like 'It is raining'
Using 'it' for a living being whose identity is not specified
Literally 'that child'. Used for babies or young children when gender is unknown or irrelevant.
その子は泣いています。
It is crying. (referring to a baby)
Translating structures like 'It was John who...'
Use the nominalizer の plus は to create a cleft sentence. The emphasized element comes before だ/です.
来たのはジョンです。
It was John who came.
必要なのはお金だ。
It is money that is needed.
English speakers often overuse それ (sore) when translating 'it'. In natural Japanese, pronouns are omitted much more frequently. Only use それ when you need to specify or contrast something.
美味しい？
Is it delicious?
これ (kore) = near speaker, それ (sore) = near listener, あれ (are) = far from both. Choose based on physical or psychological distance.
When 'it' refers to a previously mentioned noun with a modifier, you can use の (no) instead of repeating the noun. For example, 'the red one' = 赤いの (akai no).
Literally 'that matter'. Used to refer to a previously mentioned topic or abstract thing.
そのことは知っています。
I know about it.
Abstract 'it' is often omitted when the context is clear, especially with adjectives or verbs of thinking.
Can also refer to abstract concepts, similar to 'that' in English.
それは本当ですか？
Is that true?
It is 3 o'clock.
Literally 'that animal'. Used for animals when species or name is unknown.
その動物は逃げた。
It ran away. (referring to an animal)
If the baby or animal has a name or known attribute, use that instead of a pronoun.
タマはどこ？
Where is it? (referring to a cat named Tama)
Use こと for abstract or conceptual emphasis.
驚いたことは彼の態度だ。
What surprised me was his attitude.