この、その、あの、どの

この, その and あの mean "this", "that" and "that … over there", and どの asks "which". Each goes straight before a noun and cannot stand alone.

• この – this, near the speaker
• その – that, near the listener
• あの – that over there, away from both
• どの – which

この or これ

この needs a noun after it. On its own, the word is これ, and the same goes for それ, あれ and どれ.

• × このは私のです → これは私のです

その or あの

English "that" covers both. その is for something near the person you are talking to; あの is for something away from both of you.

どの

どの asks "which" out of three or more. When the noun after it is the subject, it takes が, never は.

• × どの映画は面白いですか → どの映画が面白いですか

Usage notes

These go beyond pointing at a thing you can see.

Something just mentioned

その also points back to something just mentioned that is not in sight.

Something you both know

あの names a person or thing both of you know from before.

あの as "um"

Said on its own, あの is a hesitation before speaking up: "um", "excuse me".