Have you ever wondered how to express “this”, “that”, “that over there”, “which”, “where”, “here”, “there”, “over there” and other demonstrative pronouns in Japanese? In this article, we will explore these pronouns known as kosoado.
The demonstrative pronouns, known as “shinjigo” [指示語] and “shijishi” [指示詞] in Japanese, play a fundamental role in indicating positions and references in a conversation. Additionally, they can be used to indicate places, objects, individuals, directions, and various other functions in the Japanese language. Keep reading to better understand how these pronouns work and how to use them in Japanese.
We recommend reading: KANA: Definitive Guide to Hiragana and Katakana – Japanese Alphabet
Table of Contents
Kosoado and divisions of pronouns
The name Kosoado is a compound of 4 series that classify the demonstrative pronouns, represented by the initial kana of each pronoun. They are:
- Ko [此] – or “Kinshou” [近称], represents something close to the speaker;
- So [其] – or “Chuushou” [中称], represents something close to the listener;
- A [彼] – or “Enshou” [遠称], represents something distant from both the speaker and the listener;
- Do [何] – Represents something of indeterminate position, which can be used for questions;
The kosoado pronouns are divided into 7 types:
- Jibutsu [事物] – Things;
- Bashou [場所] – Place;
- Houkou [方向] – Direction;
- Ninshou [人称] – Personal;
- Rentaishi [連体詞] – Prenominals;
- Fukushi [副詞] – Adverb;
- Keiyoudoushi [形容動詞] – Nominal Adjectives;
It is also worth remembering that within KOSOADO are the personal pronouns that we will also examine shortly:
| Type | KO | SO | A | DO |
| Thing | Kore [これ] This | Sore [それ] That | Are [あれ] That over there | Dore [どれ] Which |
| Place | Koko [ここ] Here | Soko [そこ] There | Asoko [あそこ] Over there | Doko [どこ] Where |
| Direction | Kocchi [こっち] Here | Socchi [そっち] There | Acchi [あっち] Over there | Docchi [どっち] Which |
| Direction | Kochira [こちら] Here | Sochira [そちら] Here | Achira [あちら] Over there | Dochira [どちら] Which |
| Personal | Koitsu [こいつ] This person | Soitsu [そいつ] That person | Aitsu [あいつ] That person | Doitsu [どいつ] |
| Personal | Konata [こなた] This person | Sonata [そなた] This person | Anata [あなた] That person | Donata [どなた] Which |
| Pronoun | Kono [この] This | Sono [その] This | Ano [あの] That | Dono [どの] Which |
| Adverb | Kou [こう] This way | Sou [そう] This way | Aa [ああ] That way | Dou [どう] What? |
| Adverb | Kou [こう] This manner | Sou [そう] Like this | Aa [ああ] Like this | Dou [どう] How? |
| Adjective | Konna [こんな] Such as this | Sonna [そんな] | Anna [あんな] | Donna [どんな] |
Jibutsu [事物] – Demonstrating things in Japanese
“Jibutsu” (事物) is a Japanese word that means “thing” or “object”. It is used to refer to any physical or conceptual inanimate entity such as plants and animals.
これは本です。 Kore wa hon desu.
This is a book;
それは猫です。 Sore wa neko desu.
That is a cat;
あれは花です。 Are wa hana desu.
That over there is a flower;
どれがあなたの車ですか。 Dore ga anata no kuruma desu ka?
Which is your car?
Bashou [場所] – Demonstrating places in Japanese
“Bashou” (場所) is a Japanese word that means “place” or “location”. It is a common word used to refer to any geographical area, physical space, or specific position.
ここはブラジルです。 Koko wa burajiru desu.
Here is Brazil!
そこは熱いですか。 Soko wa atsui desuka?
Is it hot there?
あそこはきれいな町があります。 Asoko wa kireina machi arimasu.
There is a beautiful city;
有希さんはどこですか。 Yuki-san wa doko desuka?
Where is Yuki?
Houkou [方向] – Showing direction in Japanese
“Houkou” (方向) is a Japanese word that means “direction” or “orientation”. This type of pronoun is used to indicate the way or path in which something is moving or pointing.
こっちの水は甘いです。 Kocchi no mizu wa amai desu.
The water here is sweet;
こちらは一番大きい家です。 Kochira wa ichiban ooki ie desu.
Here is the biggest house;
そっちの花はもっときれいです。 Socchi no hana wa motto kirei desu.
The flowers there are more beautiful;
そちらの道はやばいです。 Sochira no michi wa yabai desu.
This road is dangerous;
あっちへ行って！ Acchi e itte!
Go over there!
あちらの山は寒いです。 Achira no yama wa samui desu.
That mountain is cold;
こっちか？そっちか？どっち？ Kocchi ka? Socchi ka? Docchi?
Is it this way? Or that way? Which?
学校どちらですか。 Gakkou ha dochira desuka?
Which direction is the school?
Ninshou [人称] – Indicating a person
“Ninshou” (人称) is a type of Japanese pronoun used to refer to “person” or “individual” usually in an informal way in different contexts.
こいつは意志薄弱な男です。 Koitsu wa ishi hakujakuna otokodesu
This guy is a weak man.
そいつはいい考えだ。 Soitsu wa ī kangaeda.
That is a good idea. [does not need to indicate a person directly]
あいつを撃つ。 Aitsu o utsu.
Shoot him;
Rentaishi [連体詞] – Prenominal pronouns
Unlike kore, sore, are the prenominal pronouns are used to specify a little more the sentence and must always be followed by a noun. The image at the beginning of the article will help you understand the difference.
このかばんはいくらですか? Kono kaban wa ikura desu ka?
How much is this bag?
そのかさは千五百円です. Sono kasa wa sen gohyaku en desu.
That umbrella is 1500 yen.
あのじてんしゃは八万六百円です. Ano Jitensha wa hachiman roppyaku en desu.
That bicycle [over there] is 80,600 yen.
ど のとけいが千円ですか? Dono tokei ga sen en desu ka?
Which watch is 1000 yen?
Fukushi [副詞] – Adverbs
Fukushi (副詞) in Japanese refers to adverbs, a class of words used to modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or entire phrases, providing additional information about the manner, time, place, or intensity of the action or characteristic described.
その漢字はこう書くんです Sono kanji wa kō kaku ndesu
This kanji is written like this
そうです soudesu
That’s right / exactly / that’s correct;
ああいう人は見たことない Aa iu hito wa mita koto nai
I have never seen a person like that;
どういういみですか Dōiu imidesu ka
What does that mean?
Keiyoudoushi [形容動詞] – Nominal Adjectives
“Keiyoudoushi” (形容動詞), often translated as “nominal adjectives” in Japanese, are a class of words that combine characteristics of adjectives and nouns.
どんなことには耐えられないよ Don'na kotoni wa tae rarenai yo
I can’t stand something like this
そんな感じです Son'na kanjidesu
It’s such a feeling / It’s that feeling!
なんでそんなことしたの Nande son'na ko to shita no
Why did he do that?
あんなやつ大嫌いだ An'na yatsu daikiraida
I hate that person
どんなことでも Don'na kotode mo
It doesn’t matter what, anything!
Conclusion
These were the KOSOADO and some examples of use, we did not go into many details so you don’t get overwhelmed, it may seem confusing at first, but only with time and practice will you understand the feeling of each word.
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