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
Ask with どこ and answer with place words
Use どこですか to ask where something or someone is. Short answers often use ここ, そこ, and あそこ.
Target signal
トイレはどこですか。
Where is the bathroom?
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- トイレ
- toilet; restroom
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- どこ
- where
Compare in context
ほんはここです。
The book is here.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ここで
- here; at this place
- ここ
- here
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
かばんはそこです。
The bag is there.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- そこで
- there; so then
- そこ
- there
Section 2 of 3
Give fuller answers with location phrases
You can also answer with fuller location phrases. These often use の with place words such as 上, 中, 前, and 下.
Target signal
トイレはあそこです。
The bathroom is over there.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- あそこ
- over there
- そこで
- there; so then
- トイレ
- toilet; restroom
Preview
ほんはつくえのうえにあります。
The book is on the desk.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- あります
- there is; there are
- つく
- to stick to; to be attached
- つく
- to sigh; to let out a sigh
Preview
えんぴつはかばんのなかです。
The pencil is inside the bag.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- えんぴつ
- pencil
- かばん
- bag
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 3 of 3
Choose あります or います naturally
Choose あります for things and います for people and animals. That one choice makes many location answers feel natural right away.
Target signal
せんせいはきょうしつにいます。
The teacher is in the classroom.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- きょう
- today
Preview
ひとはとしょかんのまえにいます。
The person is in front of the library.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- いま
- now
- まえ
- before
Preview
ねこはいすのしたにいます。
The cat is under the chair.
Notice how Asking Where Things Are shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- いす
- chair
- いま
- now