Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

この〜・その〜・あの〜kono ~ / sono ~ / ano ~

which item by distance

Use 「この〜・その〜・あの〜」 before a noun for an item near you, near the listener, or far from both.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

Look at the speaker in orange. Who are the shoes near? Choose the word from the speaker’s point of view.
For something close to you, use 「この＋noun」. この靴 means “these shoes.”
For something near the listener, use 「その＋noun」. その靴 means “those shoes near you.”
For something far from both speaker and listener, use 「あの＋noun」, as in あの靴 for the shoes over there.
この・その・あの must be followed by a noun. The phrase makes clear which object you mean.
Choose the shoes you want to ask about, then say 「この靴はいくらですか」 to ask how much these shoes cost.
When the same skirt moves from near the listener to near you, you call it このスカート instead of そのスカート.

Example sentences

このkonoペンぺんpenをoください。くださいkudasai
I'll take this pen, please.
あのanoシャツしゃつshatsuはわwaいくらikura

In a conversation

A
すみません、すみませんこの靴くつはわいくらですか。か
A: Excuse me, how much are these shoes?
B
八千はちせん円えんです。です
B: It's 8,000 yen.
A

Check yourself

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Please give me this pen.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
いくらですか。
How much is this computer?

More grammar in this theme

この〜・その〜・あの〜which item by distance

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