それ

pronoun

that; it

Refers to something near the listener, or something the listener is thinking about or has just mentioned. Contrasts with これ (near speaker) and あれ (far from both).

See also: これ · あれ · どれ

• それは何なんですか。

  What is that?

• それ、いい考かんがえだね。

  That's a good idea.

pronoun

then; that time; that point

Used to refer to a point in time previously mentioned or understood from context. Often appears in narrative or explanatory speech.

• それから、どうしたの？

  And then what happened?

• それまで待まってください。

  Please wait until then.

pronoun

there

Archaic use indicating a place near the listener. In modern Japanese, そこ is used instead.

• 古こ語ごでは「それ」が「そこ」の意い味みで使つかわれた。

  In classical Japanese, それ was used to mean 'there'.

pronoun

you

Archaic second-person pronoun, sometimes used in old texts or poetry. Not used in modern standard Japanese.

• 古こ文ぶんでは「それ」が「あなた」を指さすことがある。

  In classical texts, それ can refer to 'you'.