Demonstratives (これ/それ/あれ/どれ)
Ko-so-a-do system
Explanation
これ (kore) - this (near speaker); それ (sore) - that (near listener); あれ (are) - that over there (far from both); どれ (dore) - which one
Formation
これ/それ/あれ/どれ + は/を/が etc.
Examples
Usage Notes
- Physical and psychological distance
- この/その/あの + noun
- ここ/そこ/あそこ for places
- こちら/そちら/あちら (polite)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- それ = near listener (not just "away from me")
- どれ for "which" among 3+, どちら for 2
- Can't use これの, use この + noun