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これ・それ・あれ

The ko-so-a-do demonstratives

これ/それ/あれ = this / that / that over there

A three-way distance system.

📊 ko-so-a-do
Near speaker Near listener Far Question
これ kore (thing) それ sore あれ are どれ dore (which)
この kono (+noun) その sono あの ano どの dono
ここ koko (here) そこ soko あそこ asoko どこ doko (where)
💬 Examples
これは何ですか。
Kore wa nan desu ka.
What is this?
📝 これ = this (near me)
それは本です。
Sore wa hon desu.
That is a book.
📝 それ = that (near you)
この/その/あの go before a noun

これ stands alone; この + noun.

💬 Examples
この本
kono hon
this book
📝 この + noun
あの人
ano hito
that person (over there)
📝 あの = that (far) + noun
ここ/そこ/あそこ = here / there

Place words.

💬 Examples
ここはどこですか。
Koko wa doko desu ka.
Where is this place?
📝 ここ = here; どこ = where
トイレはあそこです。
Toire wa asoko desu.
The toilet is over there.
📝 あそこ = over there