Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 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 3
Standalone pointing words
これ points to something near the speaker. それ points to something near the listener or something already mentioned. あれ points to something far from both sides. These three words stand alone, so they do not go directly before a noun.
Target signal
これはほんです。
This is a book.
これ stands by itself.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ほん
- book
Compare in context
それはかばんです。
That is a bag.
それ often points near the listener.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- それ
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
あれはホテルです。
That over there is a hotel.
あれ points far from both speaker and listener.
Vocabulary notes
- ホテル
- hotel
- あれ
- that over there
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 2 of 3
Read the distance clue
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.
Target signal
これはペンですか。
Is this a pen?
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ペン
- pen
Preview
それはわたしのノートです。
That is my notebook.
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
- わたし
- I; me
- それ
- that
Preview
あれはたなかさんのかばんです。
That over there is Tanaka's bag.
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- あれ
- that over there
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
Section 3 of 3
These forms do not go before a noun
A sentence like これはほんです is fine because これ stands alone and ほん comes later in the sentence. But if a noun comes immediately after the pointing word, you need この, その, or あの instead.
Target signal
これはせんせいのほんです。
This is the teacher's book.
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
それはわたしのかばんです。
That is my bag.
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- わたし
- I; me
- それ
- that
Preview
あれはがっこうです。
That over there is the school.
Notice how これ・それ・あれ shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- あれ
- that over there
- うで
- arm