{"id":1680,"date":"2009-11-03T04:51:12","date_gmt":"2009-11-03T06:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/?p=1680"},"modified":"2026-08-21T20:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T23:38:21","slug":"demonstrative-pronouns-in-japanese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/pronomes-demonstrativos-em-japones\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese kosoado system: guide to demonstratives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>O <strong>kosoado system in Japanese<\/strong> organizes demonstratives and interrogative words into four series: <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053<\/span> for the speaker's field, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d<\/span> for the listener's field or a resumed reference, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042<\/span> for something distant, and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069<\/span> for questions. After understanding this logic, it becomes easier to choose between <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/span> and other words from the same family.<\/p>\n\n<p>Although many explanations call the whole set of \u201cdemonstrative pronouns,\u201d the words do not have the same function. <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span> can occupy the place of a thing alone; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e<\/span> needs to come before a noun; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053<\/span> points to a place. This guide shows the differences with tables, examples, dialogue, and exercises.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Summary of the kosoado system<\/h2>\n\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Function<\/th><th>\u3053 series<\/th><th>\u305d series<\/th><th>\u3042 series<\/th><th>\u3069 series<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Things<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span><br \/><em>kore<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c<\/span><br \/><em>sore<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u308c<\/span><br \/><em>are<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u308c<\/span><br \/><em>dore<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Before a noun<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e<\/span><br \/><em>kono<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e<\/span><br \/><em>sono<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u306e<\/span><br \/><em>ano<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span><br \/><em>owner<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Places<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053<\/span><br \/><em>koko<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u3053<\/span><br \/><em>soko<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u305d\u3053<\/span><br \/><em>asoko<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3053<\/span><br \/><em>doko<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Direction or polite form<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/span><br \/><em>kochira<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u3061\u3089<\/span><br \/><em>sochira<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u3061\u3089<\/span><br \/><em>achira<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089<\/span><br \/><em>dochira<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Type or characteristic<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3093\u306a<\/span><br \/><em>konna<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u3093\u306a<\/span><br \/><em>sleepy<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u3093\u306a<\/span><br \/><em>anna<\/em><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a<\/span><br \/><em>lady<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>O <a href=\"https:\/\/a1.marugotoweb.jp\/en\/appendix_03.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marugoto demonstrative chart, from Japan Foundation<\/a>, brings together the families of things, places, direction, and noun modification. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coelang.tufs.ac.jp\/mt\/ja\/gmod\/courses\/c01\/lesson04\/step4\/card\/014.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tokyo University of Foreign Studies also presents the correspondence between \u3053\u308c, \u3053\u3053, \u3053\u306e and their series<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>These words appear from the beginner level and combine with basic structures of <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/fundamental-japanese-grammar\/\">japanese grammar<\/a>. To read the examples as complete sentences, it also helps to recognize the role of <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/basic-particle-in-japanese\/\">particles \u306f, \u304c, \u3092, \u306b, and \u3067<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>How to choose between \u3053, \u305d, \u3042, and \u3069<\/h2>\n\n<p>The choice does not depend only on a fixed translation like \u201cthis,\u201d \u201cthat,\u201d or \u201cthat over there.\u201d It depends on the relationship between the referent, the speaker, and the listener.<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u3053 series:<\/strong> points to something in the speaker's field or perceived as close to them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u305d series:<\/strong> points to something in the listener's field. In conversation, it can also refer back to information the interlocutor has just mentioned.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u3042 series:<\/strong> points to something distant from both. In memory uses, it can refer to something the speaker and listener recognize as shared.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u3069 series:<\/strong> asks which thing, place, direction, person, or type is in question.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>When the speaker and listener are side by side, the series <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053<\/span> covers what is close to both, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d<\/span> can indicate an intermediate zone, and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042<\/span> points to the distant zone. When they are face to face, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053<\/span> tends to mark the speaker's side, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d<\/span> the listener's side, and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042<\/span> what is far from both. This spatial distinction is explained in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coelang.tufs.ac.jp\/mt\/ja\/gmod\/contents\/explanation\/011.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">official TUFS module on \u3053\u308c, \u305d\u308c, and \u3042\u308c<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\u3053\u308c, \u305d\u308c, \u3042\u308c, and \u3069\u308c: demonstrating things<\/h2>\n\n<p><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u308c<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u308c<\/span> point to things without needing to repeat the noun. Therefore, they can appear directly with a particle or with <span lang=\"ja\">\u3067\u3059<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Kore wa nan desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhat is this?<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c\u306f\u65e5\u672c\u8a9e\u306e\u8f9e\u66f8\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Sore wa nihongo no jisho desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat is a Japanese dictionary.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u308c\u306f\u99c5\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Are wa eki desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat is the station.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u306e\u5098\u306f\u3069\u308c\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Tanaka-san no kasa wa dore desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhich is Tanaka's umbrella?<\/p>\n\n<p>In questions with <span lang=\"ja\">\u4f55<\/span>, the reading changes depending on what follows. The guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/when-to-use-nan-or-nani\/\">when to use <span lang=\"ja\">\u306a\u3093<\/span> or <span lang=\"ja\">\u306a\u306b<\/span><\/a> explains why <span lang=\"ja\">What is it?<\/span> is read <em>nan desu ka<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<p>If you want to specifically practice the spatial contrast of this trio, also see the short lesson on <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/kore-sore-are-%e3%81%93%e3%82%8c-%e3%81%9d%e3%82%8c-%e3%81%82%e3%82%8c\/\"><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u30fb\u305d\u308c\u30fb\u3042\u308c<\/span><\/a>. Here, the goal is to understand the complete system and compare families with different functions.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\u3053\u306e, \u305d\u306e, \u3042\u306e and \u3069\u306e: pointing to a noun<\/h2>\n\n<p><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u306e<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span> they do not replace the noun: they come immediately before it. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coelang.tufs.ac.jp\/mt\/ja\/gmod\/contents\/explanation\/013.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TUFS classifies the construction as <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306eN\uff0f\u305d\u306eN\uff0f\u3042\u306eN<\/span><\/a>, in which <span lang=\"ja\">N<\/span> represents the indicated name.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u672c\u306f\u304a\u3082\u3057\u308d\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThis book is interesting.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e\u304b\u3070\u3093\u306f\u79c1\u306e\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Sono kaban wa watashi no desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat bag is mine.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u306e\u4eba\u306f\u5c71\u7530\u5148\u751f\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Ano hito wa Yamada-sensei desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat person is Professor Yamada.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e\u96fb\u8eca\u304c\u6771\u4eac\u3078\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Dono densha ga T\u014dky\u014d e ikimasu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhich train goes to Tokyo?<\/p>\n\n<p>The essential difference is syntactic:<\/p>\n\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Form<\/th><th>Correct<\/th><th>Incorrect<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Replaces the thing<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u306f\u672c\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u306f\u672c\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Comes before the noun<\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u672c\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/td><td><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u672c\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>For people, prefer a noun expression, such as <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u4eba<\/span> (\u201cthis person\u201d) or the respectful form <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u65b9<\/span>. Using <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span> to point at a person usually sounds inappropriate.<\/p>\n\n<!--Ads10-->\n\n<h2>\u3053\u3053, \u305d\u3053, \u3042\u305d\u3053 and \u3069\u3053: demonstrating places<\/h2>\n\n<p>The family <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u30fb\u305d\u3053\u30fb\u3042\u305d\u3053\u30fb\u3069\u3053<\/span> points to places. It follows the same spatial division as the other series.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\u306f\u3069\u3053\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nExcuse me, where is the restroom?<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\u306f\u3042\u305d\u3053\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Toire wa asoko desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThe restroom is over there.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u306b\u5ea7\u3063\u3066\u3082\u3044\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nCan I sit here?<\/p>\n\n<p>Note that <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053<\/span> can be the topic in <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u306f\u6559\u5ba4\u3067\u3059<\/span> (\u201cthis is the classroom\u201d) or receive the location particle in <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u306b\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059<\/span> (\u201cit is here\u201d). This shows why it is better to understand the function of particles than to memorize an isolated translation.<\/p>\n\n<p>For more examples with only places, see the lesson on <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/koko-soko-asoko\/\"><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u30fb\u305d\u3053\u30fb\u3042\u305d\u3053<\/span><\/a>. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coelang.tufs.ac.jp\/mt\/ja\/gmod\/courses\/c02\/lesson07\/step2\/explanation\/012.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TUFS explanation about this family<\/a> confirms the division between the speaker's area, the listener's area, and the region distant from both.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\u3053\u3061\u3089, \u305d\u3061\u3089, \u3042\u3061\u3089 and \u3069\u3061\u3089: direction and politeness<\/h2>\n\n<p><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u3061\u3089<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u3061\u3089<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089<\/span> can indicate direction or side. In customer service and other polite situations, they also serve as more courteous forms for \u201chere\u201d, \u201cthere\u201d, \u201cover there\u201d, and \u201cwhere\u201d. Depending on the context, <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089<\/span> it can also ask \u201cwhich of the two\u201d or, with respect, \u201cwho\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u53d7\u4ed8\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Uketsuke wa kochira desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThe reception is this way.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u30a8\u30ec\u30d9\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u306f\u3042\u3061\u3089\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Ereb\u0113t\u0101 wa achira desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThe elevator is over there.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3054\u51fa\u8eab\u306f\u3069\u3061\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Goshusshin wa dochira desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhere are you from?<\/p>\n\n<p>Do not translate <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089<\/span> always in the same way. In <span lang=\"ja\">\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3068\u304a\u8336\u3068\u3001\u3069\u3061\u3089\u304c\u3044\u3044\u3067\u3059\u304b<\/span>, the question is \u201cwhich of the two do you prefer?\u201d. In <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3059\u304b<\/span>, one respectfully asks who the person is.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\u3053\u3093\u306a, \u305d\u3093\u306a, \u3042\u3093\u306a and \u3069\u3093\u306a: type or characteristic<\/h2>\n\n<p>This family describes \u201csomething of this kind\u201d, \u201cof that kind\u201d, \u201cof that kind over there\u201d, or asks \u201cwhat kind of\u201d. It usually appears before a noun and refers to characteristics, manner, or class, not just physical distance.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3093\u306a\u672c\u3092\u63a2\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Konna hon o sagashite imasu.<\/em><br \/>\nI am looking for a book of this kind.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u3093\u306a\u3053\u3068\u306f\u8a00\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Sonna koto wa itte imasen.<\/em><br \/>\nI didn't say something like that.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u3093\u306a\u5e97\u306b\u306f\u884c\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Anna mise ni wa ikimasen.<\/em><br \/>\nI won't go to a store like that.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a\u97f3\u697d\u304c\u597d\u304d\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhat kind of music do you like?<\/p>\n\n<p><span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a<\/span> they ask different questions. <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e\u672c<\/span> asks you to identify which book among options; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a\u672c<\/span> asks about the type or characteristics of the book.<\/p>\n\n<h2>The use of \u305d\u308c and \u3042\u306e in a conversation<\/h2>\n\n<p>The series also organize references in discourse. When the interlocutor presents information, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c<\/span> or <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e<\/span> they often take it up again:<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u6765\u9031\u3001\u8a66\u9a13\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Raish\u016b, shiken ga arimasu.<\/em><br \/>\nNext week, there will be an exam.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>B:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c\u306f\u5927\u5909\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Sore wa taihen desu ne.<\/em><br \/>\nThat's tough, isn't it?<\/p>\n\n<p>When both recognize a shared memory or reference, the series <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042<\/span> can sound natural:<\/p>\n\n<p><strong><span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u306e\u5e97\u3092\u899a\u3048\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Ano mise o oboete imasu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nDo you remember that store?<\/p>\n\n<p>These uses depend on what the speaker and listener consider accessible in the conversation. For beginners, the spatial rule is the first step; then, observe how context creates informational proximity.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Dialogue in a store<\/h2>\n\n<p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u3053\u306e\u6642\u8a08\u306f\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Sumimasen, kono tokei wa ikura desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nExcuse me, how much is this watch?<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Attendant:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c\u306f\u4e09\u5343\u5186\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Sore wa sanzen-en desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat one costs 3,000 yen.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u306e\u9ed2\u3044\u6642\u8a08\u306f\u3069\u3046\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Ano kuroi tokei wa d\u014d desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nHow about that black watch?<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Attendant:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042\u308c\u306f\u4e94\u5343\u5186\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Are wa gosen-en desu.<\/em><br \/>\nThat one costs 5,000 yen.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Customer:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3061\u3089\u304c\u4eba\u6c17\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Dochira ga ninki desu ka.<\/em><br \/>\nWhich one is more popular?<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Attendant:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089\u306e\u6642\u8a08\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span><br \/>\n<em>Kochira no tokei desu.<\/em><br \/>\nIt's this watch here.<\/p>\n\n<p>The dialogue alternates between a form that accompanies the noun (<span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u6642\u8a08<\/span>) and one that replaces it (<span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u308c<\/span>). This alternation is common because it avoids repeating the same noun. The guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/how-to-form-sentence-in-japanese\/\">how to form sentences in japanese<\/a> helps analyze the order and elements omitted by context.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Common mistakes with demonstratives<\/h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Put <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span> before a noun:<\/strong> say <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u672c<\/span>, not <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u672c<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>To use <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e<\/span> alone:<\/strong> if there is no noun, use <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span> or recover the name by context with another structure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Translating only as this, that, and that:<\/strong> consider the speaker's position, the listener's, and the reference in the conversation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Confusing <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u308c<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span>:<\/strong> <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u308c<\/span> appears alone; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span> requires a noun.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Confusing <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u306e<\/span> and <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a<\/span>:<\/strong> the first identifies an option; the second asks the type or characteristic.<\/li>\n<li><strong>To use <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span> for people:<\/strong> prefer <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u4eba<\/span>, <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e\u4eba<\/span> or polite forms with <span lang=\"ja\">\u65b9<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Treating <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089<\/span> only as \u201chere\u201d:<\/strong> it can indicate direction, person, side, or one of two options, depending on context.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Exercise<\/h2>\n\n<ol>\n<li>You are holding a book. Complete: <span lang=\"ja\">This is a Japanese book.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The book is near the listener. Complete: <span lang=\"ja\">Whose book is this?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Ask \u201cWhich is your umbrella?\u201d without repeating the noun in the expected answer.<\/li>\n<li>Ask where the station is.<\/li>\n<li>Complete with the word that asks about the type: <span lang=\"ja\">What kind of movies do you like?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Correct the sentence: <span lang=\"ja\">This bag is mine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p><strong>Answers:<\/strong> 1. <span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c<\/span>; 2. <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d\u306e<\/span>; 3. <span lang=\"ja\">Which is your umbrella?<\/span>; 4. <span lang=\"ja\">Where is the station?<\/span>; 5. <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069\u3093\u306a<\/span>; 6. <span lang=\"ja\">This bag is mine.<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053<\/span> relates to the speaker's field; <span lang=\"ja\">\u305d<\/span>, to the listener's or to a resumption; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3042<\/span>, to what is distant or shared in memory; <span lang=\"ja\">\u3069<\/span> forms questions.<\/li>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u308c\u30fb\u305d\u308c\u30fb\u3042\u308c\u30fb\u3069\u308c<\/span> point to things and can appear without a noun.<\/li>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u306e\u30fb\u305d\u306e\u30fb\u3042\u306e\u30fb\u3069\u306e<\/span> need to come before a noun.<\/li>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3053\u30fb\u305d\u3053\u30fb\u3042\u305d\u3053\u30fb\u3069\u3053<\/span> point to places.<\/li>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3061\u3089\u30fb\u305d\u3061\u3089\u30fb\u3042\u3061\u3089\u30fb\u3069\u3061\u3089<\/span> indicate direction, side, and polite forms.<\/li>\n<li><span lang=\"ja\">\u3053\u3093\u306a\u30fb\u305d\u3093\u306a\u30fb\u3042\u3093\u306a\u30fb\u3069\u3093\u306a<\/span> describe or ask about type and characteristic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Instead of memorizing five separate lists, use two questions: \u201cwhat is the function of this word?\u201d and \u201cwhich field or reference am I talking about?\u201d. Then, apply the answer to <a href=\"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/word-order-in-japanese\/\">word order in Japanese<\/a> and the particles required by the sentence.<\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div id=\"faq-question-5707ee28724f8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What is the kosoado system in Japanese?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>It is the set of demonstratives and interrogatives organized by the \u3053, \u305d, \u3042, and \u3069 series. They indicate the relationship of the reference to the speaker, the listener, distance, and question.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-82212807ae2b8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What is the difference between \u3053\u308c and \u3053\u306e?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>\u3053\u308c replaces the thing and can appear without a noun, as in \u3053\u308c\u306f\u672c\u3067\u3059. \u3053\u306e comes before a noun, as in \u3053\u306e\u672c\u3067\u3059.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-2e464e1b5dbfb\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What is the difference between \u305d\u308c and \u3042\u308c?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>\u305d\u308c points to something in the listener's field or refers back to something mentioned by them. \u3042\u308c points to something distant from both speaker and listener and can also refer to a shared reference.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-8eb6417e96787\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What is the difference between \u3069\u308c and \u3069\u306e?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>\u3069\u308c means \u2018which\u2019 and appears without a noun. \u3069\u306e also asks \u2018which\u2019, but it must come before a noun, as in \u3069\u306e\u672c, \u2018which book\u2019.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-8d5a831235a7e\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">How to use \u3053\u3053, \u305d\u3053, \u3042\u305d\u3053 and \u3069\u3053?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Use \u3053\u3053 for the speaker's place, \u305d\u3053 for the listener's place, \u3042\u305d\u3053 for a place far from both, and \u3069\u3053 to ask where.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-d0e23b0307f1d\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">What do \u3053\u3061\u3089, \u305d\u3061\u3089, \u3042\u3061\u3089 and \u3069\u3061\u3089 mean?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>They can indicate direction or side and function as polite forms of here, there, and where. Depending on the context, \u3069\u3061\u3089 also asks which of the two or who.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-075afa9574627\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">How to use \u3053\u3093\u306a, \u305d\u3093\u306a, \u3042\u3093\u306a and \u3069\u3093\u306a?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>These words describe or ask about type and characteristic. \u3053\u3093\u306a indicates something of this type, \u305d\u3093\u306a of that type, \u3042\u3093\u306a of that type over there, and \u3069\u3093\u306a asks what kind of.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-33ec9c6d5e8d3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\">Can I use \u3053\u308c to talk about a person?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n\n<p>Normally, no. For people, use a noun expression like \u3053\u306e\u4eba, \u305d\u306e\u4eba, and \u3042\u306e\u4eba, or the more respectful form \u65b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand the Japanese kosoado system: \u3053\u308c, \u3053\u306e, \u3053\u3053 and other families, with differences, examples, dialogue, common mistakes, and exercises.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,70,72,60],"tags":[27,71,2,3],"class_list":["post-1680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-curso-de-japones-gratis","category-gramatica-japonesa","category-pronomes-em-japones","category-vocabulario-japones","tag-gramatica","tag-gramatica-japonesa","tag-idioma-japones","tag-nihongo","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1680"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4451,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1680\/revisions\/4451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}