In English, as in any language, fluent speakers often do not say literally what they mean. Instead, they will often omit words or phrases, take linguistic shortcuts, or use what we will call reference words. These are words that are used to point to something else, or refer to something somewhat vaguely. Examples in English would be here, there, this, or that. Japanese uses reference words as well, the basic categories of which are Nouns (which refer to something vaguely), Adjectives (which are used to modify a noun), and Places/Locations. Within each of these is a set of そこあど which encompass the extent of reference words in that category.

Nouns

Noun reference words are vague descriptors–they are often used to either refer back to a previously mentioned concept, or something unknown/new. Each one’s use is determined by the referred object’s distance relative to the speaker and listener.

これ– “this”

  • Refers to something closer to the speaker than the listener

それ– “that”

  • Refers to something closer to the listener than the speaker

あれ– “that over there”

  • Refers to something equally distant from the speaker and listener

どれ– “which”

  • Used to differentiate between options
  • Also a question word

*Sidenote: none of these words can be used to refer to living people, as it is considered rude. For instance, when referring to a person closer to you than your listener, do not use “これ” (this), but instead say “この ひと” (this person). Noun reference words can, however, be used to refer to “inanimate” people, such as those in photographs.

Adjectives (Modify a Noun)

Adjective reference words modify a noun in the phrase, and so can be used to differentiate among various possible objects. Each one’s use is determined by the referred object’s distance relative to the speaker and listener.

この– “this (noun)”

  • Refers to something closer to the speaker than the listener

その– “that (noun)”

  • Refers to something closer to the listener than the speaker

あの– “that (noun) over there”

  • Refers to something equally distant from the speaker and listener

どの– “which (noun)”

  • Used to differentiate between options
  • Also a question word
Places or Locations

 

As the name suggests, place/location reference words are used when discussing buildings, geographic locations, and the like. Each one’s use is determined by the referred object’s distance relative to the speaker and listener.

ここ– “here”

  • Refers to somewhere closer to the speaker than the listener

そこ– “there”

  • Refers to somewhere closer to the listener than the speaker

あそこ– “that place over there”

  • Refers to somewhere equally distant from the speaker and listener

どこ– “where”

  • Also a question word

 

As you can see in the list of reference words above, some question words are included as well! Below is an accordion list of most of the question words you will learn during the first semesters of Japanese. The list will close and expand with each selection, so try remembering the Japanese words underneath to improve!

Who

だれ

Which

どれ

Where

どこ

How

どう

Why

どうして

How Much

いくら

How Many

いくつ

What

なん OR  なに

What Time, When

なんじ OR いつ

What Kind Of

どんな

How Many People

なんにん