Meaning
The demonstrative adjectives この (kono), その (sono), and あの (ano) are used to indicate specific things based on their location. Use この when the object is close to the speaker. Use その when the object is close to the listener but far from the speaker. Use あの when the object is far from both the speaker and listener. To ask which object, use どの (dono) instead.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 名词 | この＋名詞 |
| 名词 | その＋名詞 |
| 名词 | あの＋名詞 |
Examples
-
このひとは だれですか
Who is this person? -
あのかばんは きれいです。
That bag over there is beautiful. -
そのひとは わたしの ちちです。
That person is my father.
Summary
- この refers to things near the speaker; その refers to things near the listener; あの refers to things far from both
- All three follow the pattern: demonstrative adjective + noun (e.g., このペン, そのかさ, あの山)
- Use どの + noun to ask 'which?' about a specific object (e.g., どの本ですか? = Which book?)