Place demonstratives — ここ (here), そこ (there), あそこ (over there)
Can use place demonstratives
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the toilet?
あそこにコンビニがあります。
There's a convenience store over there.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
| Distance | Place | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Near speaker | ここ (here) | こちら (this way) |
| Near listener | そこ (there) | そちら (that way) |
| Far from both | あそこ (over there) | あちら (that way) |
| Question | どこ (where) | どちら (which way) |
こちら/そちら/あちら are more polite versions, also used for direction and to introduce people: こちらは田中さんです。(This is Mr. Tanaka.)
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesConfusing そこ and あそこ; Not knowing the polite こちら/そちら/あちら forms
すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the toilet?
どこ(where) + ですか — the most useful survival question in Japan!
あそこにコンビニがあります。
There's a convenience store over there.
あそこ(over there) + に(location) + コンビニ(convenience store) + が + あります(exists)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises