Learning Japanese: Demonstratives (kore, sore, are) & Responses
#japanese
#language
Today, I learned about Japanese demonstratives used to point to things, and how to agree or disagree with statements.
1. Demonstratives (これ・それ・あれ)
Used to point to things.
Function:
- これ (kore) → this (near the speaker)
- それ (sore) → that (near the listener)
- あれ (are) → that (far from both)
Formula: これ / それ / あれ は Noun です
Examples:
-
これはほんです。
(This is a book.) -
それはかばんです。
(That is a bag.) -
あれはくるまです。
(That is a car over there.)
Explanation: Use:
- これ when the object is close to you
- それ when the object is close to the listener
- あれ when the object is far from both of you
2. Agree & Disagree (そうです・ちがいます)
Used to respond to statements or questions.
Function:
- そうです (sou desu) → that’s right / yes
- ちがいます (chigaimasu) → that’s wrong / no
Examples:
-
A: それはほんですか？
B: そうです。
(A: Is that a book? B: Yes, it is.) -
A: それはほんですか？
B: ちがいます。
(A: Is that a book? B: No, it isn’t.)
Explanation:
- そうです is used to agree
- ちがいます is used to disagree
Summary
- これ (kore) → This (near the speaker)
- それ (sore) → That (near the listener)
- あれ (are) → That (far from both)
- そうです (sou desu) → That’s right / Yes
- ちがいます (chigaimasu) → That’s wrong / No