その

also: そん

そ

の

Common word›JLPTN5›Freq.FrequencyTop 100

Meanings

pre-noun adjectival

that; the

usually written using kana alone

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.

Usage patterns· 7

その〈数かず〉part ...; number ... (in a series of titles or sections)
この物もの語がたりはその一いちから始はじまる。
This story begins with Part One.
その後ごafter that; afterwards
その後ご、彼かれとは会あっていない。
I haven't seen him since then.
その、〈事こと〉um, ...; well, ... (hesitating before saying something)
その、ちょっと聞ききたいことがあるんですが。
Um, there's something I'd like to ask you.
そのためfor that reason; because of that
電でん車しゃが遅おくれた。そのため、会かい議ぎに遅ち刻こくした。
The train was delayed, so I was late for the meeting.
その結けっ果かas a result of that
毎まい日にち練れん習しゅうした。その結けっ果か、試し験けんに合ごう格かくした。
I practiced every day, and as a result I passed the exam.

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そのうちbefore long; one of these days
そのうち、また会あいましょう。
Let's meet again sometime soon.
その代かわりinstead; in exchange

Expressions

其その許もとyou (archaic)
そっくりそのままexactly the same; exactly as is; without any change
それもそのはずno wonder; little wonder; after all; as expected; which isn't surprising

Grammar

この・その・あの・どのThis, that, or which + nounN5

Kanji

其that

Related words

当とうの
その simply means 'that', while 当の emphasizes that the noun is the very one being discussed or at issue.

Don't confuse with· 5

それN5sense 1
それ is a standalone pronoun meaning 'that,' while その must directly precede a noun, as in その本 rather than それ本.
このN5sense 1
この points to something near the speaker, while その points to something near the listener or already mentioned in the conversation.
あのN5sense 1
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.

Word family

そのままN3
as is; without change; unchanged · just like; exactly like; very similar · immediately; right after; without pause

Written forms

そのUsage100%
Normal modern spelling. The determiner uses is usually written in kana.
其そのUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji spelling for the determiner use; ordinary writing uses その.
そんUsage<1%
kana-only spelling
Attested kana-only alternate reading; uncommon in standard writing and not used for the filler interjection sense.
ソノ

Etymology

Native Japanese demonstrative in the こ・そ・あ・ど system. The kanji spelling 其の conventionally represents this word, but modern Japanese normally writes it in kana as その.

今日きょうは休やすみます。その代かわり、明日あしたは頑がん張ばります。

I'll take today off; instead, I'll work hard tomorrow.

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あのN5
あの refers to something distant from both speaker and listener, whereas その refers to something near the listener or already mentioned in conversation.
どのN5
その means 'that', referring to something near the listener, while どの is used to ask 'which' among three or more items.

Usage<1%