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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese demonstratives これ / それ / あれ.
You're traveling in Japan with a Japanese friend as your guide. You're on a train. You see a tall tower outside the window. Let's ask your Japanese friend what that is. In such a situation, you ask like this:あれは なんですか。
👉<Use>
Demonstrative words are words like "this" and "that" that show which thing is being referred to.
Japanese has three demonstratives depending on distance from the speaker and listener.
Japanese demonstratives that begin with the prefix "こ-(ko-)／そ-(so-)／あ-(a-)", are used depending on whether what the speaker is referring to is in the speaker's territory, the listener's territory, or far from either.
⚠こちら / そちら / あちら are politer than これ / それ / あれ.
これ（こちら）
"これ" refers to a thing that is close to the speaker.
それ（そちら）
"それ" refers to a thing that is close to the listener.
あれ（あちら）
"あれ" refers to a thing that is neither close to the speaker nor the listener.
"あれは なんですか。" means "What is that?"
The demonstratives これ / それ / あれ work as nouns.
👉<Examples>
1. これは とけいです。
Kore wa tokei desu.
This is a watch.
2. こちらは 1000えんです。
Kochira wa 1000 en desu.
This costs 1000 yen.
3. それは シャツです。
Sore wa shatsu desu.
That is a shirt.
4. そちらは いくらですか。
Sochira wa ikura desu ka.
How much is that?
5. きむらさんの かばんは あれです。
Kimura-san no kaban wa are desu.
Ms. Kimura’s bag is that one.
6. あちらは フランスのワインです。
Achira wa Furansu no wain desu.
That is French wine.
Video Explanation
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
Find a Japanese Tutor on italki →Suggested Study Material
Genki I (Beginner Japanese)
This grammar point is explained in Genki I (Lesson 2), a widely used beginner textbook for learning Japanese.
Check textbook details※Genki is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can also search “Genki I” on your local Amazon.
