2 Comments

March 5, 2020

JLPT N5 Grammar: これ/それ/あれ/どれ kore / sore / are / dore

Ko-So-A-Do

The ko-so-a-do may seem difficult to grasp, but they are very regular. Learning them early on will definitely help with your progress.

The key is to understand the three positions:

  1. Near the speaker [the "k" words]
  2. Near the listener [the "s" words]
  3. Away from both [the "a" words]

The fourth, "d" words," are the question words.

これ/それ/あれ/どれ


 ABOUT: 

These little words are called demonstratives, words like "this" or "that." While the number of them can seem daunting, once you learn the pattern, it isn't too difficult to sort out.

These are sometimes referred to as "ko-so-a-do" due to the first hiragana in the pattern.

First, let's look at their use as pronouns.


How to Use:

Choose from three words depending on the distance from the speaker. The fourth word is a question word. This form is not attached to a noun but act as a pronoun.

これ

This [for objects near the speaker]

それ)

That [for objects near the listener]

あれ)

That over there [for objects far from both people]

どれ

Which one?

 Examples:

これは、(なん)ですか?
What is this?
[an object near the speaker]


あ、それは、きつねうどんです。
Ah, that is kitsune udon.
[Uses それ because it is away from this speaker. Kitsune udon is a type of udon noodles with fried tofu.]


じゃあ、あれは?
Well, how about that over there?
[an object far from both speakers]


どれですか?
Which one?
[This question word can be used for any object no matter the distance.]


Sharing is caring!

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

    Level up your Japanese with Makoto+!

    Sign up today for Free and Enjoy weekly content, exclusive bonuses, and valuable learning materials—at no cost to you.

    As a Free Member, You’ll Get:

    • Monthly Theme & Fun Phrase (see below for an example)
    • One Weekly Sentence Breakdown with Shadowing & Repetition 
    • iPhone/iPad/Android app with 12 stories + Frank and the Obaasan Season 1 NEW!
    • Free Access to Two Makoto+ Courses & Read Repeat Japanese Sentences interactive sentence trainer
    • Exclusive Podcast Bonus Material
    • 5% Off Anything at TheJapanShop.com (Reusable Coupon)
    • No Credit Card Required—100% Free!

    Join today and start boosting your Japanese skills with engaging lessons and bonus content. While this free membership doesn’t include our full magazine or premium perks, it’s a fantastic way to stay motivated and keep learning—without spending a dime!

    What to Expect

    About once or twice a month, you'll receive an email featuring:

    • A new sentence breakdown with shadowing practice or the monthly theme or fun word
    • Links to fresh bonus materials available to you

    If you're a total Beginner of Japanese

    We highly recommend our Beri-Beri Shoshinsha Bundle, a step-by-step, frustration-free introduction to reading and writing Japanese (N5 level).

    Format: Purely a digital download bundle (PDFs, ePubs, MP3s [slow and normal speed], Anki decks)

    Designed for people who have zero experience with Japanese and need to learn the basic writing systems (Hiragana/Katakana/Basic Kanji), an individuals who have tried to learn Japanese multiple times but stalled or lost momentum, and students actively preparing for the lowest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.


    Easy to follow and understand

    This bundle is perfect for absolute beginners. It's thorough without being wordy, giving you exactly enough information to understand the concepts without overloading you with information. 

    TheJapanShop.com Customer

    >