これ・それ・あれ: rules, examples & exercises | Japanese Grammar A1

これ・それ・あれ

A1 — 指示詞

Demonstrative pronouns — これ (this), それ (that), あれ (that over there)

Can use これ, それ, あれ to refer to things at different distances

Demonstrative pronouns — これ (this), それ (that), あれ (that over there)

Examples

指示詞A1

Demonstrative pronouns — これ (this), それ (that), あれ (that over there)

Learning Goal

Can use demonstrative pronouns

Exam Skills:JLPT N5 Grammar

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

これは何ですか。

What is this?

それをください。

Please give me that.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Japanese has a three-way distance system (ko-so-a-do):

Usage: これは何ですか。(What is this?) / それをください。(Give me that [near you].)

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Confusing それ and あれ (それ = near listener, あれ = far from both); Using これ to point at something near the listener

これは何ですか。

What is this?

これ(this, near me) + は + 何(なに, what) + ですか

それをください。

Please give me that.

それ(that, near you) + を + ください(please give)

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

When is これ・それ・あれ used?: Usage: これは何ですか。(What is this?) / それをください。(Give me that [near you].)
What are common mistakes with これ・それ・あれ?: Confusing それ and あれ (それ = near listener, あれ = far from both); Using これ to point at something near the listener