Things around you
Point out and identify objects with これ/それ/あれ, この/その/あの, and の, and answer with そうです / ちがいます.
Tap any vocabulary word or sentence to hear it pronounced.
Vocabulary
this (near me)
that (near you)
that over there
this ~ (+ noun)
that ~ (+ noun)
that ~ over there (+ noun)
book
dictionary
magazine
newspaper
notebook
business card
pocket notebook, planner
card
telephone card
pencil
ballpoint pen
mechanical pencil
key
watch, clock
umbrella
bag
TV
radio
camera
tape (cassette)
tape recorder
computer
car
automobile
desk
chair
chocolate
coffee
souvenir, gift
Japanese (language)
English (language)
what
so, right
that's wrong, different
~ language (suffix)
Useful phrases
あのう、すみません。
Um, excuse me.
これは何ですか。
What is this?
そうですか。
I see.
どうも ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
どうぞ。
Here you are. / Please.
Grammar
これ / それ / あれ (this / that / that over there)
これ = near the speaker, それ = near the listener, あれ = far from both. They stand alone as "this/that".
Examplesこれはじしょです。
それはほんですか。
あれはとけいです。
この / その / あの + noun
Unlike これ/それ/あれ, these always come right before a noun: この本 = "this book". Never say これ本.
Examplesこのかばんはわたしのです。
そのとけいはにほんのです。
あのひとはだれですか。
の (possession / content)
の links two nouns to show an owner ("my book") or the content/type ("Japanese book").
Examplesこれはわたしのほんです。
それはにほんごのざっしです。
あれはだれのかさですか。
Asking "what is it?" with 何
何 (なん) means "what". Put it where the unknown noun would go to ask what something is.
Examplesこれはなんですか。
あれはなんですか。
Answers
Answer by naming the thing with the affirmative sentence: (これ / それ) は ～です.
それはほんです。
これはかぎです。
Practice
Test yourself on this lesson's vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and kanji writing.
Reference vocabulary
Extra words related to this lesson, also included in the vocabulary practice.
School supplies
eraser
ruler
scissors
glue
pencil case
calendar
Electronics
PC
smartphone
telephone
refrigerator
air conditioner
Question words
which one
which ~ (+ noun)
I see / is that so
More everyday objects
money
wallet
glasses
mobile phone
handkerchief