Translation guide
The English word 'that' has several distinct uses: as a demonstrative pronoun/adjective, a relative pronoun, a conjunction, and more. Japanese expresses these differently depending on context, distance, and formality. Often, the concept is omitted when clear from context.
Pointing to an object, idea, or situation that is close to the listener but not the speaker.
Pointing to an object, idea, or situation that is distant from both speaker and listener.
Standard pronoun for 'that' when the thing is far from both people. Often used for things in the distance or abstract memories.
Specifying a particular thing that is near the listener.
Pre-noun form meaning 'that' when the noun is near the listener. Used before a noun.
Specifying a particular thing that is distant from both speaker and listener.
Pre-noun form meaning 'that' when the noun is far from both. Often used for distant objects or shared memories.
Connecting a clause to a noun, as in 'the book that I read'. Japanese does not use a relative pronoun; the clause directly modifies the noun.
In Japanese, relative clauses are formed by placing the modifying clause directly before the noun. No word for 'that' is used. The verb in the clause is in its plain form.
the book that I read
Introducing a clause that functions as a noun, as in 'I think that...' or 'She said that...'. Japanese uses particles like と or こと.
Used after a clause to quote or report speech, thoughts, or content. Often with verbs like 言う (say), 思う (think), 考える (consider).
He said that he would come.
Referring back to something just mentioned, like 'that's right' or 'that reminds me'.
Used to refer to a topic or statement just made by the other person. Common in conversation.
Used to emphasize degree, as in 'that much' or 'that big'. Japanese uses そんなに or あんなに.
Means 'that much' or 'so' when referring to something near the listener or just mentioned. Often used in negative sentences.
これ/それ/あれ are pronouns (stand alone), while この/その/あの are pre-noun adjectives (must be followed by a noun). For example, これは本です (This is a book) vs. この本は面白い (This book is interesting).
Japanese often omits pronouns when the referent is clear from context. Using それ or あれ too frequently can sound unnatural. When in doubt, drop it.
English relative clauses with 'that' are often translated by placing the modifying clause directly before the noun. The verb must be in plain form. Example: 'the person that I met' → 私が会った人.
あれは富士山ですか。
Is that Mt. Fuji?
I wonder what that was.
その本を取ってください。
Please pass me that book.
That idea is interesting.
あの建物は何ですか。
What is that building?
That day was fun.
the thing that he said
I think that that is correct.
Nominalizer that turns a clause into a noun phrase. Used in patterns like 〜ことができる (can do) or 〜ことがある (have done).
I know that he is coming.
A: 明日は休みだよ。 B: それ、本当？
A: Tomorrow is a holiday. B: Is that true?
Means 'so' or 'that way'. Used in phrases like そうです (that's right) or そう思う (I think so).
I can't eat that much.
Don't be in that much of a hurry.
Means 'that much' when referring to something distant from both speaker and listener, often a shared memory.
Even though I practiced that much.
I know that he is kind.
The car that she bought is red.