Meaning
These demonstratives indicate specific locations and directions based on proximity to the speaker and listener. Use ここ for places near the speaker, そこ for places near the listener, and あそこ for places far from both. The polite alternatives こちら、そちら、and あちら serve the same function but are more formal and can also express direction. Use どこ or どちら when asking about locations or directions.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 指示词（地点） | ここ／そこ／あそこ |
| 指示词（地点·方向，敬语） | こちら／そちら／あちら |
| 疑问词 | どこ／どちら |
Examples
-
ここは かいぎしつです。
This place is a conference room. -
そこは かいぎしつです。
That place is a conference room. -
あそこは かいぎしつです。
That place over there is a conference room. -
かいぎしつは どこですか。
Where is the conference room? -
おてあらいは どちらですか。
Where is the restroom? (polite) -
ぶちょうは どちらに いますか。
Where is the department head?
Summary
- ここ (near speaker), そこ (near listener), あそこ (far from both) indicate location based on distance
- こちら、そちら、あちら are polite alternatives that also express direction
- Use どこ or どちら (polite) to ask questions about location or direction