also: そん
pre-noun adjectival
Pre-noun demonstrative in the そ-series: used for something near the listener, something just mentioned, or something associated with the listener's words, actions, or understanding. It must directly modify a noun, unlike それ.
その本を少し見せてください。
Please show me that book for a moment.
昨日話していたその店に行ってみたい。
I want to try going to that shop we were talking about yesterday.
pre-noun adjectival
Used before a number in titles, lists, or headings, as in その一, その二, meaning 'part one,' 'part two,' and so on.
旅行記その三では、京都の宿を紹介します。
In part three of the travel notes, I introduce the inn in Kyoto.
Only with reading その
Spoken hesitation filler, used before saying something difficult, uncertain, or delayed. This sense is restricted to the reading その and is normally written in kana.
その、少しお願いがあるんですが。
Um, I have a small favor to ask.
その、何と言えばいいか分かりません。
Uh, I don't know how to put it.
This story begins with Part One.
I haven't seen him since then.
Um, there's something I'd like to ask you.
The train was delayed, so I was late for the meeting.
I practiced every day, and as a result I passed the exam.
Let's meet again sometime soon.
I'll take today off; instead, I'll work hard tomorrow.
あの points to something distant from both speaker and listener or mutually recalled from memory, while その is closer to the listener or recent discourse.