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
These forms must go before a noun
Unlike これ, それ, and あれ, these words must directly modify a noun. Read them together with the noun as one chunk: このほん, そのかばん, あのひと.
Target signal
このほんはわたしのです。
This book is mine.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- わたし
- I; me
- この
- this
Compare in context
そのかばんはたなかさんのです。
That bag is Tanaka's.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
Compare in context
あのひとはせんせいです。
That person over there is a teacher.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- あの
- that; that over there
Section 2 of 3
The distance idea stays the same
この is near the speaker, その is near the listener or already known, and あの is farther away. The only change is that a noun must come right after the word.
Target signal
このノートはわたしのです。
This notebook is mine.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- わたし
- I; me
Preview
そのほんはせんせいのです。
That book is the teacher's.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- その
- that
Preview
あのほんはとしょかんのほんです。
That book over there is a library book.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- あの
- that; that over there
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ほん
- book
Section 3 of 3
Read the whole noun phrase together
Do not separate この from ほん or その from かばん in your head. The pointing word and the noun form one unit first, and then the rest of the sentence continues.
Target signal
このかばんはわたしのです。
This bag is mine.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- わたし
- I; me
Preview
そのひとはがくせいです。
That person is a student.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- その
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
あのノートはたなかさんのです。
That notebook over there is Tanaka's.
Notice how この・その・あの shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
- のです
- it is that / explanatory tone
- あの
- that; that over there