このそのあのどの
Grammar meaning
“この その あの どの” can also express the relationship between the speaker, the listener, and an object, just like “これ それ あれ どれ”.
However, unlike “これ それ あれ どれ”, it is used to specify a particular object being discussed. For example, if you want to talk about the pens you own and all of them are blue,
・これは青です。
This is blue.
You can say it this way, but if each one has a different color, you need to specify each one using this grammar.
・このペンは青です。このペンは赤です。
This pen is blue. This pen is red.
Anyway, the basic concept of this grammar is similar to “これそれあれどれ”, so if you don’t understand that yet, I recommend studying it first from this link.
Additionally, when talking about places, “ここ そこ あそこ どこ” can be used in a similar way. Checking this as well might help you understand today’s grammar even better.
Example sentence
・この本は日本語の本です。
This book is a Japanese book.
・その人はわたしのこいびとです。
That person is my lover.
・あのかどをまがるとびょういんがあります。
If you turn at that corner, there is a hospital.
・Q:どのぬいぐるみがすきですか。
Q: Which stuffed toy do you like?
A:わたしはこの犬のぬいぐるみがいちばんすきです。
A: I like this dog plush the most.
Additional notes
As shown in the example sentences above, “この, その, あの, どの” can also be used for people.
While “これ, それ, あれ, どれ” can be used for people as well, they cannot be used for someone of a higher status.
Additionally, a common mistake among students is in the sentence structure.
“この, その, あの, どの” must always be followed by a noun that specifies what is being referred to.
Sometimes students confuse this with “これ, それ, あれ, どれ” and make mistakes like the following, so it’s important to be careful.
NG これシャツは安いです。
OK このシャツは安いです。
This shirt is cheap.
Conversation example
山田さん：田中さんのたんじょうびプレゼントは何がいいとおもいますか。
リンさん：このさいふはどうですか。
山田さん：そのさいふもいいですが、ちょっと高いですね。
リンさん：じゃあ、あのさいふは？
山田さん：あのさいふも高そうですね。
リンさん：うーん。すみませーん。どのさいふがいちばん安いですか。
店員：このさいふがいちばん安いですよ。
Yamada: What do you think would be a good birthday present for Tanaka?
Rin: How about this wallet?
Yamada: That wallet is nice, but it’s a bit expensive.
Rin: Then, how about that one over there?
Yamada: That wallet looks expensive too.
Rin: Hmm… Sorry, which wallet is the cheapest?
Shop assistant: This wallet is the cheapest.
For Japanese Teachers
“このそのあのどの” is a grammar structure that, like “これそれあれどれ” and “ここそこあそこどこ,” changes based on the relationship between the teacher and the student.
When teaching, make sure to be mindful of potential misunderstandings from the students and avoid grammatical confusion.
Additionally, subtle differences in the usage of these demonstrative words may arise based on the learner’s native language.
It might be helpful to understand the learner’s native language to anticipate common mistakes and teach effectively.
Furthermore, teaching this grammar first will make it easier to explain the current grammar. Be sure to check it out!
