Demonstrative Words in Japanese: Understanding KO-SO-A-DO Kotoba
In everyday Japanese conversations, demonstratives are frequently used to point to objects, places, or specific individuals. These words are collectively known as KO-SO-A-DO kotoba (こそあど言葉). This article will provide a structured and comprehensive guide to using these demonstratives, complete with example sentences and the contexts in which they are used.
What is KO-SO-A-DO Kotoba?
KO-SO-A-DO kotoba refers to a group of demonstrative words in Japanese, categorized based on their proximity to the speaker, listener, or for asking about something. These words are divided into four main groups:
KO (こ): Refers to something close to the speaker ("this").
SO (そ): Refers to something close to the listener ("that").
A (あ): Refers to something far from both the speaker and the listener ("that over there").
DO (ど): Used to ask questions ("which").
Let’s explore these groups in more detail.
Demonstratives for Objects
The KO-SO-A-DO words for objects are:
Kore (これ): This
Sore (それ): That
Are (あれ): That over there (far)
Dore (どれ): Which one
Example Sentences:
これはなんですか？
Kore wa nan desu ka?
What is this?それはあなたのハンカチですか？
Sore wa anata no hankachi desu ka?
Is that your handkerchief?あれはお寺ですか？
Are wa otera desu ka?
Is that a temple over there?あなたの傘はどれですか？
Anata no kasa wa dore desu ka?
Which one is your umbrella?
To refer to multiple objects, add the suffix ra (ら) to indicate the plural form.
Plural Example Sentences:
それらは田中さんの車ですか？
Sorera wa Tanaka-san no kuruma desu ka?
Are those all Tanaka’s cars?これらは並みちゃんの寿司です。
Korera wa Nami-chan no sushi desu.
These are all Nami’s sushi.
Demonstratives Followed by Nouns
When KO-SO-A-DO words are followed by nouns, they take the form no (の), becoming kono, sono, ano, and dono.
Example Sentences:
この本が好きです。
Kono hon ga suki desu.
I like this book.そのペンを貸してください。
Sono pen o kashite kudasai.
Please lend me that pen.あの人は俳優です。
Ano hito wa haiyū desu.
That person is an actor.どのボールペンがあなたのですか？
Dono bōrupen ga anata no desu ka?
Which ballpoint pen is yours?
Demonstratives for Places
To point to places, KO-SO-A-DO words use the suffix ko (こ):
Koko (ここ): Here
Soko (そこ): There
Asoko (あそこ): Over there
Doko (どこ): Where
Japanese sentence structure:
ここ/そこ/あそこ + は + ばしょ (place) + です
(“This/that/over there is [place].”)
For negative sentences, you can use ではありません (dewa arimasen) or じゃありません (jaarimasen).
Example Sentences: Positive
ここは晴れていますね。
Koko wa harete imasu ne.
It’s clear here, isn’t it?そこは曇っていますか？
Soko wa kumotte imasu ka?
Is it cloudy there?あそこは公園です。
Asoko wa kōen desu.
Over there is a park.あなたはどこに住んでいますか？
Anata wa doko ni sunde imasu ka?
Where do you live?
Example Sentences: Negative
ここは がっこう ではありません。
Koko wa gakkō dewa arimasen.
Here is not a school.そこは としょかん じゃありません。
Soko wa toshokan jaarimasen.
There is not a library.あそこは びょういん ではありません。
Asoko wa byōin dewa arimasen.
Over there is not a hospital.
Demonstratives for People or Directions
Using the suffix chira (ちら), KO-SO-A-DO words can politely refer to people or directions.
Kochira (こちら): Here / This / This person
Sochira (そちら): There / That / That person
Achira (あちら): Over there / That over there / That person over there
Dochira (どちら): Where / Which one / Who (polite)
Example Sentences:
こちらがヒロシさんですか？
Kochira ga Hiroshi-san desu ka?
Is this Mr. Hiroshi?そちらは奥さんですか？
Sochira wa okusama desu ka?
Is that your wife?あちらはきれいな空です。
Achira wa kirei na sora desu.
That is the beautiful sky over there.どちらが好きですか？
Dochira ga suki desu ka?
Which one do you like?
Social Contexts for Using KO-SO-A-DO
Formality: Words like kochira, sochira, achira, and dochira are more formal compared to koko, soko, asoko, and doko. Use them in formal situations or when speaking respectfully.
Children to Adults: Children typically use simpler forms like kore, sore, are.
Gender: There’s no gender difference in using KO-SO-A-DO words, but politeness levels adjust according to the situation.
Conclusion
KO-SO-A-DO kotoba plays a vital role in everyday communication in Japanese. Understanding how to use these demonstratives will help you express yourself more effectively in various contexts. Practice using these words in daily conversations to improve your Japanese language skills!