Happy Sunday Japanophiles, Herewith the 41st issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter — your Weekly Dose of Japan!

Today, we’re simply going through some grammar:

Understanding この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano), and どの (dono)

If you’re learning Japanese, understanding この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano), and どの (dono) is essential.

These are part of the こそあど言葉 (ko-so-a-do kotoba) system, a helpful framework to describe objects, people, or ideas based on their proximity to the speaker and listener.

Let's see how these words work, with examples and practical tips to make learning easy.

The Basics: What Are この, その, あの, and どの?

These demonstratives describe the relative location or connection of objects to the speaker and listener.

They always appear before a noun and work like "this," "that," and "which" in English, but with a slightly different nuance.

1. この (kono) – This [noun] 

Refers to something near the speaker.

 Example: このトマト (kono tomato) – this tomato (near me).

2. その (sono) – That [noun] 

Refers to something near the listener.

 Example: そのトマト (sono tomato) – that tomato (near you).

3. あの (ano) – That [noun] over there 

Refers to something far from both the speaker and the listener.

 Example: あのトマト (ano tomato) – that tomato over there.

4. どの (dono) – Which [noun] 

Refers to a question about which one out of three or more objects.

 Example: どのトマト (dono tomato) – which tomato? 

こそあど: The Concept Behind the Words

Japanese demonstratives follow the こそあど pattern:

• こ: Refers to things close to the speaker.

• そ: Refers to things closer to the listener.

• あ: Refers to things distant from both speaker and listener.

• ど: Question form – used to ask “which” or “where.”

This pattern applies across various categories, such as places (ここ, そこ, あそこ, どこ), directions, and objects.

In the case of この, その, あの, and どの, these words focus on objects, people, and ideas.

Patterns of Use: Building Sentences

Basic Examples 

Demonstratives directly attach to a noun to describe it:

このスカート (kono sukaato) – this skirt.

そのスカート (sono sukaato) – that skirt.

あのスカート (ano sukaato) – that skirt over there.

どのスカート (dono sukaato) – which skirt?.

Adding Descriptive Words

You can add adjectives or descriptive phrases between the demonstrative and the noun:

• その赤いスカート (sono akai sukaato) – that red skirt.

• あの大きなトマト (ano ookina tomato) – that big tomato over there.

Longer Descriptions

You can also insert a string of descriptive details for more specificity:

• その[赤いヒラヒラの右の方においてあるスカート] (sono akai hirahira no migi no hou ni oite aru sukaato)

• that red, frilly skirt placed on the right.

この, その, and あの in Everyday Scenarios

Referring to Objects You Can See

Imagine you’re in a garden with a friend picking tomatoes:

この: You pick up a tomato and say:

• 見て！このトマト、めっちゃデカい。 (Mite! Kono tomato, meccha dekai)

• Look! This tomato is so big. 

その: Your friend holds up a different tomato and you say:

• そのトマトもデカいね！ (Sono tomato mo dekai ne!)

• That tomato is also big! 

あの: You both notice an even bigger tomato further away:

• あのトマト、さらにデカいよ！ (Ano tomato, sara ni dekai yo!)

• That tomato over there is even bigger! 

Referring to Objects You Can’t See

These words can also refer to abstract concepts or things that are not physically visible. The choice depends on the conceptual “distance”:

このニュース (kono nyuusu): Refers to news you feel close to, perhaps because it’s fresh or emotionally impactful.

そのニュース (sono nyuusu): Refers to news you feel is more neutral or distant.

あのニュース (ano nyuusu): Refers to news from the past or something you’re recalling.

Example:

そのニュース、信じられないよね。 (Sono nyuusu, shinjirarenai yo ne)

 That news is unbelievable, isn’t it? 

Understanding どの for Asking Questions  

Use どの when asking about choices:

どのスカートがいい？ (Dono sukaato ga ii?) – Which skirt do you like? 

どの道を行きますか？ (Dono michi o ikimasu ka?) – Which road will you take? 

> Note: If there are only two choices, use どっちの (docchi no) or どちらの (dochira no) instead. For example:

> どっちのドア？ (Docchi no doa?) – Which door? (out of two).

Special Cases

Using この with People  

You can use この to refer to people, like:

• この人 (kono hito) – this person.

Interestingly, you might also hear characters in anime use この私 (kono watashi) to refer to themselves in an emphatic way, as if to say, “ME!” This usage often conveys arrogance or pride:

• お前はこの私を誰だと思っているんだ？ (Omae wa kono watashi o dare da to omotteirun da?)

• Who do you think I am? 

あの for Shared Memories

Use あの when referring to something both speaker and listener know:

あの寿司屋、昔よく行ったよね！ (Ano sushiya, mukashi yoku itta yo ne!)

 That sushi place, we used to go there a lot, huh? 

It can also be used to emphasize famous or well-known people or things:

あの先生でも分からなかったの？ (Ano sensei demo wakaranakatta no?)

Even THAT teacher couldn’t figure it out? 

Practice Time!

Here’s how you can practice:

Look around your room. Choose three items and describe them using:

• この (kono) – for something near you.

• その (sono) – for something near someone else or slightly away.

• あの (ano) – for something far from both of you.

Example:

• この本 (kono hon) – this book.

• そのペン (sono pen) – that pen.

• あの机 (ano tsukue) – that desk over there.

Ask a question using どの (dono). 

どのカバンがいい？ (Dono kaban ga ii?) – Which bag is best? 

Final Tips 

Practice these words in real-life scenarios to make them stick. For example, next time you're shopping, try using この, その, and あの to refer to products.

If you're talking about something you can't see, think about your emotional or conceptual closeness to the topic to choose between この, その, and あの.

Mastering these words will help you navigate Japanese conversations and descriptions with ease!

That’s all folks!

Let me know if you enjoyed this simple grammar run-through :)

Have a great Sunday!