Japanese grammar
What does この・その・あの mean? Japanese grammar N5
この・その・あの means this ~ / that ~ / that ~ over there (before a noun).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | この + N その + N あの + N |
| Romaji | kono / sono / ano |
| Meaning | this ~ / that ~ / that ~ over there (before a noun) |
How to use it
Points to a specific noun.
- Distance works the same as これ/それ/あれ, but it MUST be followed by a noun.
- この本 = "this book". You cannot say この on its own.
- The corresponding question word is どの (which).
Examples
この車は新しいです。
This car is new.
あの人は先生です。
That person over there is a teacher.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongこの は 本 です。
Correctこれは本です。
この must be stuck directly to a noun. Standing alone, you'd use これ instead.