If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably come across この (kono), その (sono), and あの (ano). They look and sound similar, and they all seem to mean “this” or “that,” which can be confusing. But they’re not interchangeable — and using them correctly can really improve your Japanese fluency.
What Are この, その, and あの?
These are demonstrative words used to point to specific nouns — similar to “this” and “that” in English. But here’s the key difference:
- In Japanese, この, その, and あの must always be followed by a noun.
- They cannot stand on their own.
Compare these examples:
- この本 (kono hon) = this book (near the speaker)
- その人 (sono hito) = that person (near the listener)
- あの店 (ano mise) = that store (over there)
You can’t say “この” by itself. If you want to say “this” alone—as a stand-alone word—you’d use これ instead. (More on that later.)
How to Use この, その, あの
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| この | kono | this [noun] (near the speaker) |
| その | sono | that [noun] (near the listener) |
| あの | ano | that [noun] (over there) |
この – “This [noun] near me”
Use この when the object is close to the speaker.
Example:
このペンは私のです。
This pen is mine.
その – “That [noun] near you”
Use その when the object is closer to the listener.
Example:
そのかばんは新しいですね。
That bag near you is new, isn’t it?
あの – “That [noun] over there”
Use あの when the object is far from both the speaker and the listener.
Example:
あの山は富士山です。
That mountain over there is Mt. Fuji.
Quick Tip: Pair with Nouns Only
Think of it like this:
- この + noun is correct
- その + noun is correct
- あの + noun is correct
But:
- ❌このだけ
- ✅これだけ (“only this”)
If there’s no noun right after, you’ll need to use the independent form instead:
| Adjective Form | Independent Form |
|---|---|
| この | これ |
| その | それ |
| あの | あれ |
Why It Matters
Using the correct demonstrative word makes your Japanese sound more natural and specific. It also prevents confusion. Imagine pointing at something across the room and calling it “this”—it might confuse people or sound strange in Japanese.
Practice Time
Try filling in the blanks:
- 私の近くの犬はかわいいです。
→ (this dog) → ______犬 - ______本はあなたのですか？
→ (the book near you) - ______は先生です。
→ (that person over there)
Answers:
- この犬
- その本
- あの人
Final Thoughts
Mastering この, その, and あの makes a big difference in how clearly and naturally you can express yourself in Japanese. They’re some of the most basic building blocks of daily communication.
Want to practice? Try pointing at things around you and naming them out loud:
- このえんぴつ (this pencil)
- そのノート (that notebook)
- あのテレビ (that TV over there)
It might feel silly at first — but it works. Keep practicing. You’re closer than you think.
