これ、それ、あれ、どれ
We use these for when we want to talk about things that we do not know the names of i.e. "this thing, that one".
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| これ | This (near speaking) |
| それ | That (near person spoken to) |
| あれ | Near neither participant |
| どれ | Which (e.g. used in which one is it?) |
Some examples:
- これはいくらですか？ How much is this?
- それはさんぜんえんです。That is 3,000 yen.
- どれですか？ Which one is it (that you are talking about)?
この、その、あの、どの + noun
We can use these to be more specific about a particular thing.
Some examples:
- このとけいはいくらですか？ How much is this watch?
- そのとけいはさんぜんえんです。That watch is 3,000 yen.
- どのとけいがさんぜん百えんですか？ Which watch costs 3,000 yen?