is a **demonstrative adjective** meaning "this" that directly modifies a noun. It refers to something **close to the speaker** – either physically nearby or something the speaker feels connected to (such as a topic they just brought up).
always appears **before a noun** and cannot stand alone. This is what distinguishes it from
("this one"), which is a pronoun and replaces a noun entirely.
。
This book is interesting.
The こそあど system
belongs to the **こそあど** series of demonstratives:
- – this (near the speaker)
- – that (near the listener)
- – that over there (far from both)
- – which?
。
I like that movie (near you).
。
I like that movie (over there / that we both know).
きごう？
Which movie do you like?
Referring to shared knowledge
can also refer to something just mentioned by the speaker or something the speaker is about to explain, even if it is not physically present.
、きごう？
Do you know this story?
Common patterns
is used in everyday expressions such as
(around here),
(the other day; recently), and
(the other day; recently).
きごう？
Is there a convenience store around here?
、。
I met a friend the other day.
Lingaku