この / その / あの / どの + Noun
“this ___,” “that ___,” “that ___ over there,” or “which ___?”
この / その / あの / どの
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Basic Structure
Grammar Details
Explanation
These words are used to used to say “this ___,” “that ___,” “that ___ over there,” or “which ___?”
They describe which specific noun you’re referring to, based on location or context.
| Word | Meaning | When to Use | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| この | this [noun] | Near the speaker | この本は面白いです。 (This book is interesting.) |
| その | that [noun] | Near the listener | その映画はどうだった？ (How was that movie?) |
| あの | that [noun] (over there) | Far from both speaker & listener | あの人は先生です。 (That person over there is a teacher.) |
| どの | which [noun] | Used when asking a question | どのかばんがあなたのですか？ (Which bag is yours?) |
🧠 Notes:
- Always followed by a noun
- Unlike これ/それ/あれ/どれ which stand alone as pronouns, these forms must be followed by a noun
- Example: この本 (kono hon) = this book, NOT: この is a book (incorrect)
- Word order is fixed
- The pattern is always: この/その/あの/どの + noun
- Example: このカバン (kono kaban) = this bag
- No particle between adjective and noun
- Example: その人 (sono hito) = that person (NOT その の 人)
- Psychological distance
- These can also indicate psychological distance, not just physical distance
- あの can refer to something both speakers know but isn’t physically present
- Example: あの映画 (ano eiga) = that movie (we both know about)
Examples
この本は面白いです。
This book is interesting. (near the speaker)
この写真は去年撮りました。
I took this photograph last year. (near the speaker)
その時計は高かったですか。
Was that watch expensive? (near the listener)
その鞄の中に何がありますか。
What is inside that bag? (near the listener)
あの山は富士山です。
That mountain is Mt. Fuji. (far from both speaker and listener)
あの人は私の先生です。
That person is my teacher.(far from both speaker and listener)
どの料理が一番美味しいですか。
Which dish is the most delicious?
どの教室に行きますか。
Which classroom are you going to?