指示词 (Ko-so-a-do)
Japanese demonstratives follow the 'Ko-So-A-Do' pattern. The starting sound determines the distance from the speaker and listener.
| Prefix | Distance / Meaning | Thing (noun) | Modifier (+noun) | Place | Direction/Polite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| こ | Near Speaker | これ This | この This ... | ここ Here | こちら This way |
| そ | Near Listener | それ That | その That ... | そこ There | そちら That way |
| あ | Far from both | あれ That over there | あの That ... over there | あそこ Over there | あちら That way over there |
| ど | Question | どれ Which one? | どの Which ...? | どこ Where? | どちら Which way? |
これは本です。
This is a book.
この本は私のです。
This book is mine.
ここは教室です。
This (here) is a classroom.
こちらは田中さんです。
This is Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
出口はこちらです。
The exit is this way.
こちらはメニューです。
Here is the menu.
Japanese nouns don't usually change for plurals. However, for people, we can add suffixes to indicate plurality.
私たち (わたしたち) - We
先生方 (せんせいがた) - Teachers
彼ら (かれら) - They
Used to describe the state or character of something. "Such..." or "Like..."
These forms are very casual and can be considered rude or derogatory if used with people you don't know well. Use with caution.
First Person (I, Me)
Second Person (You)
Japanese speakers often avoid using "You". Instead, use the person's name + San.