Japanese grammar
What does これ・それ・あれ mean? Japanese grammar N5
これ・それ・あれ means this one / that one / that one over there.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | これ は N です それ は N です あれ は N です |
| Romaji | kore / sore / are |
| Meaning | this one / that one / that one over there |
How to use it
Pronouns pointing to objects, used independently (never before a noun).
- これ: an object near the SPEAKER.
- それ: an object near the LISTENER.
- あれ: an object far from BOTH.
- Unlike Vietnamese, which only has "this/that", Japanese splits distance relative to both speaker and listener — hence three levels.
- These three words stand ALONE, never with a noun attached. To attach a noun, use この/その/あの instead.
Examples
これは本です。
This is a book.
あれは何ですか。
What is that over there?
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこれ本は高いです。
Correctこの本は高いです。
これ cannot stand before a noun. With a noun attached, use この instead.