“This, that, which and that’s over there” in Japanese – この, その, どの and あの

“This, that, which and that’s over there” in Japanese – この, その, どの and あの
“この, その, and あの This, That, and That Over There”

この、その, and あの are modified versions of これ, それ, and あれ (this, that, and that over there) where the -れ is dropped and replaced with -の.
These modified versions cannot stand alone and must be followed by the noun they are describing.
The difference between the two versions is that -の’s are adjectives that describe a noun while-れ’s can be used in place of a noun and can stand alone.
The same rule applies to どの. It is a modified version of どれ and when asking “Which?” with どの, a noun
must follow.

1. この (This)
この (kono) means this. It is used when the noun it is describing is near the speaker.
As mentioned, it can only be used when a noun follows it.

Example:
このコーヒーは苦い味がする。
Kono kohi wa nigai aji ga suru.
This coffee tastes bitter.

2. その (That)
その (sono) means that. It is used when the noun it is describing is farther from the speaker, usually closer to the listener.
It can also translate to “the.”

Example:
その車は動こうとしなかった。
Sono kuruma wa ugokou to shinakatta
That car wouldn’t start.

3. あの (That over there)
あの (ano) means that or that over there. It is used when the noun it is describing is far from
both the listener and speaker.

Example:
あの店ニューオープンだって。
Ano mise nyuu opun datte
That shop is newly opened.

4. どの (Which)
どの (dono) means which. Like the others in this set, it is used to describe a noun. In certain
instances, it can also means “what.”

Example:
予約はどの窓口でできますか?
Yoyaku wa dono madoguchi de dekimasuka?
At which window can I make a reservation?