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

これは何ですか。
Kore wa nan desu ka.
What is this?
See in analyzer →
それをください。
Sore o kudasai.
Please give me that.
See in analyzer →
あれは富士山です。
Are wa Fujisan desu.
That over there is Mt. Fuji.
See in analyzer →

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