Demonstratives Ko-So-A-Do Part 2
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish between demonstrative pronouns (これ) and demonstrative adjectives (この).
- Use この, その, あの, and どの to modify nouns based on distance.
- Learn how to point at and choose items in a Japanese store.
- Understand basic shopping etiquette in Japan.
In Chapter 04, we learned これ, それ, and あれ, which stand alone as nouns (“This is a book”). In this chapter, we level up to この, その, and あの. These are demonstrative adjectives, meaning they must be followed by a noun (“This book is mine”). This system follows the same distance rules as before but allows for much more specific descriptions.
1. The Ko-So-A-Do System: Part 2
The Ko-So-A-Do prefixes (Ko = Near me, So = Near you, A = Far from both, Do = Which?) still apply. The only difference is that these versions require a noun immediately after them.
この ほん は わたし の です。
Kono hon wa watashi no desu.
This book is mine.
その かばん は だれ の です か。
Sono kaban wa dare no desu ka.
Whose bag is that (near you)?
あの くるま は たかい です。
Ano kuruma wa takai desu.
That car (over there) is expensive.
Differences: これ vs この
- これ (Pronoun): Stands alone. (これ は ほんです - This is a book.)
- この (Adjective): Must touch a noun. (この ほん は おもしろいです - This book is interesting.)
どの ひと が たなかさん です か。
Dono hito ga Tanaka-san desu ka.
Which person is Mr. Tanaka?
この ペン を ください。
Kono pen o kudasai.
Please give me this pen.
その とけい は いくら です か。
Sono tokei wa ikura desu ka.
How much is that watch (near you)?
2. Asking “Which one?”: どの (Dono)
When you have multiple items and want to ask “Which [noun]?”, you use どの. It behaves exactly like its siblings.
どの かさ です か。
Dono kasa desu ka.
Which umbrella is it?
どの カメラ が いい です か。
Dono kamera ga ii desu ka.
Which camera is good?
さとうさん は どの ひと です か。
Satou-san wa dono hito desu ka.
Which person is Mr. Sato?
あの たてもの は なん です か。
Ano tatemono wa nan desu ka.
What is that building over there?
この ケーキ は おいしい です。
Kono kēki wa oishii desu.
This cake is delicious.
その じしょ は べんり です。
Sono jisho wa benri desu.
That dictionary (near you) is convenient.
3. Cultural Note: Shopping Etiquette (買い物)
Shopping in Japan is a polite, ritualized experience. Here are a few key points:
- Sumimasen: Use this to get a clerk’s attention.
- Kore o kudasai: “Please give me this.” (Used when you’ve decided).
- Trays for Money: Most stores have a small tray (tsuri-zara) on the counter. Place your cash or card there rather than handing it directly to the clerk.
- Bowing: Clerks will often bow when you enter (Irasshaimase!) and when you leave. A small nod back is sufficient.
- Pointing: While pointing is common, it’s considered more polite to use an open hand toward the item rather than a single finger for people or expensive items.
Conversation Practice
すみません。 その シャツ は いくら です か。
Sumimasen. Sono shatsu wa ikura desu ka.
Excuse me. How much is that shirt (near you)?
これ です か。 これ は ３０００えん です。
Kore desu ka. Kore wa san-zen en desu.
This one? This is 3,000 yen.
じゃあ、 あの あかい シャツ は いくら です か。
Jaa, ano akai shatsu wa ikura desu ka.
Well then, how much is that red shirt over there?
あの シャツ は ４５００えん です。
Ano shatsu wa yon-sen go-hyaku en desu.
That shirt is 4,500 yen.
そうですか。 この シャツ を ください。
Sou desu ka. Kono shatsu o kudasai.
I see. Please give me this shirt (the one I am holding).
これ は だれ です か。
Kore wa dare desu ka.
Who is this?
それ は わたし の かぞく です。
Sore wa watashi no kazoku desu.
That is my family.
どの ひと が おとうさん です か。
Dono hito ga otousan desu ka.
Which person is your father?
あの せ が たかい ひと です。
Ano se ga takai hito desu.
It's that tall person over there.
Chapter Summary
- 1この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano), and どの (dono) are demonstrative adjectives.
- 2Unlike これ, それ, and あれ, they MUST be followed by a noun.
- 3この = near speaker, その = near listener, あの = far from both, どの = which?.
- 4When shopping, use 'Sumimasen' to call a clerk and 'Kudasai' to buy an item.
- 5Always use the money tray at the register if one is provided.
Knowledge Check
Test your mastery of the demonstrative adjectives!
Quiz
Which of these MUST be followed by a noun?