JLPT N5 grammar · The Absolute Basics
この/その/あの/どの [Noun]: meaning, usage and examples
この/その/あの/どの [Noun] means: this/that/that (over there)/which [Noun].
How to form it
この / その / あの / どの + ＜Noun＞
Examples
このりんご
This apple
その本を読みました。
I read that book.
このりんごはおいしいです。
This apple is delicious.
あの人は私の先生です。
That person is my teacher.
どの電車に乗りますか。
Which train will you take?
When to use it
Place directly before a noun to indicate which one you mean based on spatial/conversational distance.
Nuance
あの with a person noun (あの人) can carry subtle emotional weight: admiration or distance.
Compare
これ/それ/あれ stand alone; この/その/あの must precede a noun.
Tip: A common N5 mistake: writing 'これの本' instead of 'この本'. の is not used here.
More in The Absolute Basics
- ~です: to be/ it is (polite)
- ~じゃありません: to not be / it is not (polite)
- ~ですか: (indicates question: sentence end)
- はい/いいえ: yes/no
- そうです: (answer) it is/that's right
- こ/そ/あ/ど (demonstrative prefixes): こ: Something near to the speaker; そ: Something near to the listener; あ: Something far away from both speaker and listener; ど: Something the speaker doesn't see or know about.
- これ/それ/あれ/どれ: This, that, that one over there, which
- ここ/そこ/あそこ/どこ: Here, there, over there, where
Frequently asked questions
What does この/その/あの/どの [Noun] mean?
This/that/that (over there)/which [Noun]. Example: このりんご (This apple)
How do you form この/その/あの/どの [Noun]?
この / その / あの / どの + ＜Noun＞. A common N5 mistake: writing 'これの本' instead of 'この本'. の is not used here.