N5 · Lesson 2
This, that, and where things are
これ・それ・あれ / ここ・そこ・あそこ
In this lesson, you will learn to point at something and ask what it is, ask where something is, and say where it is. You will also meet the idea that Japanese has three words for 'that', depending on who is standing near the thing.
By the end you will be able to say
それは 何ですか。What is that (by you)?
この 本は おもしろいです。This book is interesting.
トイレは どこですか。Where is the toilet?
かばんは いすの 上に あります。The bag is on the chair.
たなかさんは きょうしつに います。Tanaka is in the classroom.
The grammar in this lesson
- これ・それ・あれ — three distances — This, that near you, and that over there.
- この・その・あの + noun — 'This book', not 'this one' — the form that needs a noun after it.
- ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ — places — Here, there, over there — and how to ask where.
- 〜に あります／います — something is somewhere — Say where a thing is — and why people get a different verb.