Used to describe what something is like.
- こんな — like this
- そんな — like that
- あんな — like that over there
- どんな — what kind of
。
This kind of problem is easy.
。
I have not heard that kind of story.
。
I want to become someone like that.
。
What kind of movie is it?
そんな vs あんな
そんな is used when the thing is:
- Close to the listener
- Already mentioned
- Part of shared or immediate context
It often reacts to what the other person just said.
。
That kind of idea is dangerous.
。
I do not know that kind of person.
あんな is used when the thing is:
- Distant from both speaker and listener
- Not part of the immediate conversation
- Treated as something “over there” mentally or physically
。
I do not want to become someone like that.
。
That kind of shop does not exist anymore.
あんな often feels more detached, reflective, or evaluative than そんな.
Lingaku