Lesson 12
This, That, and Which: Demonstratives
The Ko-So-A-Do System
In Japanese, demonstrative words—words used to point to specific objects, people, or locations—follow an elegant and consistent pattern known as the Ko-So-A-Do system. Each prefix indicates the distance of the item relative to the speaker and the listener. Once you understand the base prefix, you can apply it across several word families with ease.
The prefix 'ko-' refers to something close to the speaker (this/here). The prefix 'so-' refers to something close to the listener (that/there near you). The prefix 'a-' refers to something distant from both speaker and listener (that over there/way over there). Finally, the prefix 'do-' turns the demonstrative into a question word (which/where).
Understanding this spatial relationship is crucial because English often groups 'sore' and 'are' simply as 'that'. In Japanese, you must always evaluate whether the object is in your listener's personal sphere ('so-') or far away from both of you ('a-').
Pointing Out Objects: Kore, Sore, Are, and Dore
The most basic noun demonstratives for inanimate objects are これ (kore - this one), それ (sore - that one near you), あれ (are - that one over there), and どれ (dore - which one). These words act as independent nouns and stand alone as the subject or object of a sentence. They are frequently paired with the topic marker は (wa) or the identifier が (ga).
For example, if you are holding a pen, you say: これは ペン です (Kore wa pen desu - This is a pen). If the listener has a book on their desk, you say: それは 本 です (Sore wa hon desu - That is a book). If you both see a car down the street, you say: あれは 車 です (Are wa kuruma desu - That over there is a car).
To ask which item out of a group of three or more is someone's, you use どれ (dore). Note that question words cannot take the topic marker は (wa); they take the subject marker が (ga) instead. For example: あなたの かさは どれ ですか (Anata no kasa wa dore desu ka - Which one is your umbrella?).
Modifying Nouns: Kono, Sono, Ano, and Dono
While 'kore' stands on its own, この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano), and どの (dono) are demonstrative adjectives. They must always be followed directly by a noun. You can think of them as translating to 'this [noun]', 'that [noun]', and 'which [noun]'.
A common beginner mistake is using 'kore' before a noun, such as 'kore hon', which is grammatically incorrect. Instead, you must say この 本 (kono hon - this book). Similarly, 'that watch near you' is その とけい (sono tokei), and 'that building over there' is あの たてもの (ano tatemono).
When asking a question with 'dono', attach the noun directly: どの かばんが 田中さんの ですか (Dono kaban ga Tanaka-san no desu ka - Which bag is Tanaka's?). Just like with 'dore', questions focusing on 'which noun' take the particle が (ga) rather than は (wa).
Talking About Locations: Koko, Soko, Asoko, and Doko
To indicate locations and places, Japanese uses ここ (koko - here), そこ (soko - there), あそこ (asoko - over there), and どこ (doko - where). Notice that the 'a-' form has an extra 's' sound: it is 'asoko', not 'ako'. This is the only irregular form in the basic series.
These words function as nouns of place. To state where a place or person is, follow the pattern '[Location/Topic] は [Place Demonstrative] です'. For example, if you are standing in a classroom: ここは きょうしつ です (Koko wa kyoushitsu desu - Here is the classroom, or This place is a classroom).
To inquire about a location, use どこ (doko). For instance: トイレは どこ ですか (Toire wa doko desu ka - Where is the restroom?). A person answering might say そこ です (Soko desu - It is right there near you) or あそこ です (Asoko desu - It is over there).
Polite Forms and Directions: Kochira, Sochira, Achira, and Dochira
Adding '-chira' creates directional demonstratives: こちら (kochira - this way / this direction), そちら (sochira - that way), あちら (achira - that way over there), and どちら (dochira - which way). These are commonly used when giving or asking for directions.
In addition to physical directions, this series serves as a polite alternative to the place words (koko, soko, asoko, doko). In business settings, customer service, or polite conversation, you will often hear: エレベーターは あちら です (Erebētā wa achira desu - The elevator is in that direction / over there) rather than 'asoko desu'.
Finally, 'kochira' and 'dochira' are frequently used to introduce people or ask between two alternatives. When introducing an associate, you say: こちらは 鈴木さん です (Kochira wa Suzuki-san desu - This is Mr./Ms. Suzuki). When choosing between two items, 'dochira' is preferred over 'dore': りんごと みかん、どちらが いいですか (Ringo to mikan, dochira ga ii desu ka - Between apples and mandarins, which do you prefer?).
Lesson quiz · 1 of 5
You are holding a dictionary in your hand. How do you say 'This is a dictionary' in Japanese?