Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Standalone pointing words
Recognize , , and as standalone pointing words.
Start with the example
。
This is a book.
stands by itself.
Notice the variation
。
That is a bag.
often points near the listener.
More detail: how to apply this
points to something near the speaker.
points to something near the listener or something already mentioned.
points to something far from both sides.
These three words stand alone, so they do not go directly before a noun.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
First decide who the object is near; then check whether the pointing word stands alone.
The comment identifies the object as the teacher’s book. Compare : needs immediately after it.
。
This is the teacher's book.
First decide who the object is near; then check whether the pointing word stands alone.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
This is a book.
stands by itself.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- ほん
- book
Compare in context
。
That is a bag.
often points near the listener.
Vocabulary notes
- それ
- that
- かばん
- bag
Compare in context
。
That over there is a hotel.
points far from both speaker and listener.
Vocabulary notes
- あれ
- that over there
- ホテル
- hotel
Section 2 of 4
Read the distance clue
Read the distance clue
Start with the example
。
Is this a pen?
Notice the variation
。
That is my notebook.
More detail: how to apply this
In short dialogue, the hard part is often not the noun but the pointing word.
Decide who the thing is near first, then read the rest of the sentence.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Is this a pen?
In this example, the message is: Is this a pen?
。
Is this a pen?
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Is this a pen?
Showing Read the distance clue: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
Is this a pen?
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- ペン
- pen
Preview
。
That is my notebook.
Vocabulary notes
- それ
- that
- わたし
- I; me
- ノート
- notebook
Preview
。
That over there is Tanaka's bag.
Vocabulary notes
- あれ
- that over there
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
- かばん
- bag
Section 3 of 4
These forms do not go before a noun
First decide who the object is near; then check whether the pointing word stands alone.
These forms do not go before a noun
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
stands for an object near the speaker. It already fills the noun position by itself.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
A sentence like is fine because stands alone and comes later in the sentence.
But if a noun comes immediately after the pointing word, you need , , or instead.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
This is the teacher's book.
In this example, the message is: This is the teacher's book.
。
This is the teacher's book.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: This is the teacher's book.
Showing These forms do not go before a noun: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
This is the teacher's book.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- せんせい
- teacher
Preview
。
That is my bag.
Vocabulary notes
- それ
- that
- わたし
- I; me
- かばん
- bag
Preview
。
That over there is the school.
Vocabulary notes
- あれ
- that over there
- がっこう
- school
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Your turn · decide before revealing
A bag is beside the listener, away from the speaker. Which fits pointing to it?
More detail: what changes and why
A bag is beside the listener, away from the speaker.
Which fits pointing to it?
normally points near the listener;
near the speaker;
away from both.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
normally points near the listener; near the speaker; away from both.
A bag is beside the listener, away from the speaker. Which fits pointing to it?
Supported meaning: それは かばんです。
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.