The word ここ (here), そこ (there), あそこ (over there), and どこ (where) are used to indicate locations based on proximity to the speaker and listener. The word こちら (this way), そちら (that way), あちら (that way over there), and どちら (which way) are the polite forms used in formal situations.
ここ refers to a place close to the speaker.
Example:
ここは図書館です。
This is the library.
そこ refers to a place close to the listener.
Example:
そこは食堂です。
That is the dining hall.
あそこ refers to a place far from both the speaker and listener.
Example:
あそこは公園です。
That over there is the park.
どこ is used to ask about a location.
Example:
ここはどこですか。
Where is this place?
Pattern N は N です is used to identify or describe a location or object. The first N indicates the subject, and the second N provides information about it.
Example:
ここは教室です。
This is the classroom.
Pattern N1 (country/company/house) の N2 (product/place) is used to indicate that a place belongs to or is associated with a specific country, company, or house.
Example:
日本の会社の事務所です。
It is the office of a Japanese company.
KOSOADO system of demonstratives:
| ko (near speaker) | so (near listener) | a (far from both) | do (question) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thing | これ (this) | それ (that) | あれ (that over there) | どれ (which) |
| Thing/Person (polite) | こちら | そちら | あちら | どちら |
| Place | ここ (here) | そこ (there) | あそこ (over there) | どこ (where) |
| Direction/Place (polite) | こちら (this way) | そちら (that way) | あちら (that way) | どちら (which way) |
| Kanji/Kana | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ここ | ここ | here, this place |
| あそこ | あそこ | that place over there |
| どこ | どこ | where, what place? |
| こちら | こちら | this way, this place (polite) |
| そちら | そちら | that way, that place near you (polite) |
| あちら | あちら | that way, that place over there (polite) |
| どちら | どちら | which way, where (polite) |
| 教室 | きょうしつ | classroom |
| 食堂 | しょくどう | dining hall, canteen |
| 事務所 | じむしょ | office |
| 会議室 | かいぎしつ | conference room, assembly room |
| 受付 | うけつけ | reception desk |
| ロビー | ロビー | lobby |
| 部屋 | へや | room |
| トイレ | トイレ | toilet, restroom |
| お手洗い | おてあらい | toilet, restroom |
| 階段 | かいだん | staircase |
| エレベーター | エレベーター | elevator, lift |
| エスカレーター | エスカレーター | escalator |
| 国 | くに | country |
| 会社 | かいしゃ | company |
| うち | うち | house, home |
| 電話 | でんわ | telephone, telephone call |
| 靴 | くつ | shoes |
| ネクタイ | ネクタイ | necktie |
| ワイン | ワイン | wine |
| たばこ | たばこ | tobacco, cigarette |
| 売り場 | うりば | department, counter (in a department store) |
| 地下 | ちか | basement |
| ～階 | ～かい | ~th floor |
| 何階 | なんがい | what floor |
| ～円 | ～えん | yen |
| いくら | いくら | how much |
| 百 | ひゃく | hundred |
| 千 | せん | thousand |
| 万 | まん | ten thousand |
| すみません | すみません | Excuse me |
| ～でございます | ～でございます | (polite form of “desu”) |
| ～を見せてください | ～をみせてください | Please show me ~ |
| じゃ | じゃ | well, then, in that case |
| ～をください | ～をください | Give me ~, please. |