この、その、あの、どの

this, that, that over there, which

Structure

この/その/あの/どの + Noun

Description

The demonstratives この, その, あの, and どの are used to modify nouns, specifying their location or relationship to the speaker and listener. They always require a noun to follow them and cannot stand alone (unlike これ, それ, あれ, どれ).

この (this)
Refers to something close to the speaker.
このへや部屋はひろいです広いです。
This room is spacious.
その (that)
Refers to something close to the listener or something mentioned earlier in the conversation.
そのほん本はおもしろいです面白いです。
That book is interesting.
あの (that over there)
Refers to something far from both the speaker and the listener.
あのいえ家はあたらしいです新しいです。
That house over there is new.
どの (which)
Used to ask about a specific item among multiple options.
どのみち道がただしいです正しいですかきごう？
Which road is correct?

Examples

。

This bag is mine.

。

That book is expensive.

。

That mountain over there is tall.

きごう？

Which pen will you use?

。

This dog is cute.

。

That car is old.

。

That person over there is kind.

きごう？

Which movie is the most interesting?

。

This room is spacious.

。

That book is interesting.

。

That house over there is new.

きごう？

Which road is correct?

こちら、そちら、あちら、どちら

これ、それ、あれ、どれ