Unit 3 - Section 4: Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative Pronouns (これ・それ・あれ)
Learn how to point out things in Japanese using demonstratives. These words are essential for everyday conversation.
Demonstrative Words (Kore/Sore/Are)
Basic Rule: Use distance from the speaker to determine which demonstrative to use
| Word | Distance | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| これ | Near the speaker (you) | this (one) | これは何ですか。 What is this? |
| それ | Near the listener (you/them) | that (one) | それは本ですか。 Is that a book? |
| あれ | Far from both (over there) | that (one) over there | あれは何ですか。 What is that over there? |
| どれ | Question word | which (one)? | どれがあなたの本ですか。 Which one is your book? |
Demonstrative Adjectives (この・その・あの)
Usage: When modifying a noun (followed by a noun)
| Word | Distance | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| この | Near the speaker | this (thing/person) | この本は新しいです。 This book is new. |
| その | Near the listener | that (thing/person) | その本は誰のですか。 Whose is that book? |
| あの | Far from both | that (thing/person) over there | あの学生は誰ですか。 Who is that student over there? |
| どの | Question word | which? | どの本ですか。 Which book? |
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1: At a store
Customer: すみません、これはいくらですか。
[Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka]
Excuse me, how much is this?
Staff: それは千円です。
[Sore wa sen-en desu]
That is 1000 yen.
Customer: あれはどうですか。
[Are wa dou desu ka]
How about that one over there?
Staff: あれは五百円です。
[Are wa gohyaku-en desu]
That is 500 yen.
[Sumimasen, kore wa ikura desu ka]
Excuse me, how much is this?
Staff: それは千円です。
[Sore wa sen-en desu]
That is 1000 yen.
Customer: あれはどうですか。
[Are wa dou desu ka]
How about that one over there?
Staff: あれは五百円です。
[Are wa gohyaku-en desu]
That is 500 yen.
Dialogue 2: At school
Person A: この鉛筆は誰のですか。
[Kono enpitsu wa dare no desu ka]
Whose pencil is this?
Person B: それは私のです。
[Sore wa watashi no desu]
That is mine.
Person A: あの学生は誰ですか。
[Ano gakusei wa dare desu ka]
Who is that student over there?
Person B: あの学生は田中さんです。
[Ano gakusei wa Tanaka-san desu]
That student is Tanaka.
[Kono enpitsu wa dare no desu ka]
Whose pencil is this?
Person B: それは私のです。
[Sore wa watashi no desu]
That is mine.
Person A: あの学生は誰ですか。
[Ano gakusei wa dare desu ka]
Who is that student over there?
Person B: あの学生は田中さんです。
[Ano gakusei wa Tanaka-san desu]
That student is Tanaka.
Quick Reference
When used as pronouns (standalone):
- これ = this one
- それ = that one
- あれ = that one over there
- どれ = which one?
When used as adjectives (before nouns):
- この＋N = this N
- その＋N = that N
- あの＋N = that N over there
- どの＋N = which N?
Study Tips
Master Demonstratives:
- Distance matters: これ (near me), それ (near you), あれ (far from both)
- Practice pointing: Actually point while practicing - this helps muscle memory
- Noun + この/その/あの: Remember the adjective form comes before the noun
- Question forms: どれ (which one?) and どの (which + noun?) are question versions
- Daily practice: Try pointing at objects and saying これ、それ、あれ throughout your day
Course Navigation
Study Tips
- Read each example carefully
- Practice pronunciation aloud
- Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
- Finish the section quiz