also: こっち · こち
出口はこちらです。
The exit is this way.
Please come in this way.
Indicates a place near the speaker. Often used in polite or formal contexts; こっち is the casual equivalent.
It's nice and quiet here, isn't it?
Please put your luggage here.
Refers to a thing near the speaker. Polite form; こっち is casual. Often used when presenting or choosing items.
I recommend this product.
This one is bigger.
Humble first-person pronoun used in formal or business settings to refer to oneself or one's group. Often used on the phone or when introducing one's company.
This is Tanaka speaking.
We will contact you again.
Only with reading こちら
Polite way to refer to someone near the speaker, especially when introducing someone of equal or higher status. Restricted to the reading こちら.
This is Mr. Yamada.
This person is the person in charge.
This way, please, sir.
Please wait here.
Here is the item you ordered.
"Thank you very much." "No, thank YOU."
This is Mr. Tanaka.
こちら refers to this side or one's own party, the direct opposite of 向こう which points to the far side or the other party.
Rare kanji form; almost always written in kana.
Obsolete kana form; not used in modern Japanese.