How To Say This Or That In Japanese

How to Say “This” or “That” in Japanese: A Complete Guide for Learners

In Japanese, distinguishing between this and that is essential for clear communication. Unlike English, where “this” and “that” are fixed words, Japanese uses a set of pronouns and demonstrative adjectives that change based on the speaker’s proximity to the object, its distance, and the level of politeness required. Mastering these forms will help you point out objects, describe locations, and engage in everyday conversations with confidence.

Introduction

The phrase “how to say this or that in Japanese” is a common search query for beginners who want to work through daily interactions in Japan. You’ll also learn how to handle this and that when referring to abstract concepts, time, and direction, as well as tips for avoiding common mistakes. This article provides a thorough walkthrough of the Japanese demonstratives kore/koso (this/that near speaker), sore (that near listener), and are (that far from both), along with their polite variations and contextual uses. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to choose the correct demonstrative in any situation, whether you’re ordering food, giving directions, or describing something in a conversation.

Steps to Master Japanese Demonstratives

1. Identify the Three Basic Demonstratives

Tip: Remember the order kore → sore → are as a “near → middle → far” progression Not complicated — just consistent..

2. Use the Correct Form with Particles

In Japanese, demonstratives function like adjectives and must be followed by appropriate particles:

• これ + は (wa) → * Kore wa* → “As for this…”
• それ + を (wo) → * Sore wo* → “That (object) …”
• あれ + に (ni) → * Are ni* → “To that (place) …”

Practice pairing each demonstrative with its typical particle to sound natural.

3. Apply Polite Forms (Keigo)

Politeness is a cornerstone of Japanese communication. The basic demonstratives have polite equivalents:

• This (polite): こちら (kochira) – used in formal settings.
• That (polite, near listener): そちら (socira).
• That (polite, far): あちら (achira).

These forms are essential when addressing customers, elders, or in business contexts Most people skip this — try not to..

4. Distinguish Between Objects and Locations

• Objects: Kore wa hon desu (This is a book).
• Locations: Kochira wa gakko desu (This is the school).

While kore and kochira both translate to “this,” their usage depends on whether you refer to a physical object or a place.

5. Handle Time and Direction

• This time: Kono jikan (この時間) – literally “this time.”
• That time: Sono jikan (その時間) – “that time.”
• That day: Ano hi (あの日) – “that day.”

These expressions follow the same proximity logic but are used for temporal references.

6. Practice with Real‑Life Scenarios

1. Shopping: Kore wa ikura desu ka? (How much is this?)
2. Giving directions: Sore wa nihon go to iu desu (That is called nihongo).
3. Describing something far away: Are wa takai desu (That is expensive).

Create flashcards with the demonstrative, its romaji, English meaning, and a sample sentence to reinforce memory.

7. Avoid Common Pitfalls

• Mixing up proximity: Remember that sore refers to something near the listener, not the speaker.
• Forgetting politeness: In formal situations, replace kore with kochira.
• Incorrect particles: Using wa with objects can change the meaning; choose the particle that matches the grammatical function.

8. Review and Apply

After practicing individually, combine the demonstratives in short dialogues. For example:

A: *Kore wa nan desu ka?Plus, * (What is this? )
B: Kore wa pizza desu (This is pizza Not complicated — just consistent..

Repeating such exchanges builds fluency and contextual awareness.

Scientific Explanation

Grammatical Role of Demonstratives

In Japanese, demonstratives function as noun modifiers rather than standalone pronouns. They precede the noun they modify, similar to adjectives in English. For instance:

• Kore wa hon desu → Kore (this) + wa (topic marker) + hon (book) + desu (copula).

The particle wa marks the topic, while the demonstrative provides the specific reference Worth knowing..

Proximity and Deixis

The Japanese demonstratives are deictic words, meaning their meaning depends on the speaker’s spatial relationship to the referent. This system is known as proximal–medial–distal deixis. The three levels correspond to:

1. Proximal (kore/kochira) – near the speaker.
2. Medial (sore/socira) – near the listener.
3. Distal (are/achira) – far from both.

Understanding this framework helps learners choose the appropriate term based on physical or conceptual distance.

Politeness Levels (Keigo)

Japanese has three main politeness levels: plain (ordinary), polite (teineigo), and honorific (sonkeigo). Demonstratives fit into the polite category when used in formal contexts. The shift from kore to kochira is an example of polite augmentation, adding the chi sound to indicate respect.

Contextual Variations

• Abstract concepts: Kono omo (この思い) – “this feeling.”
• Direction: Kochira e (こちらへ) – “this way (toward the speaker).”
• Time: Kono basho (この場所) – “this place.”

These variations show that demonstratives are not limited to physical objects; they extend to ideas, locations, and temporal references.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to learn both plain and polite forms?
A: Yes. Plain forms are fine among friends, family, or in casual settings. Polite forms are required in business, formal meetings, or when addressing strangers and elders That's the whole idea..

**Q: What about