This, that, and whose
Point to things and link people, places, and objects with の.
What you’ll work on
- Choose これ, それ, and あれ
- Use の to connect nouns
- Ask what or whose something is
A short conversation
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Kana readings help you read the written words; they do not show pitch accent.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- これkorethis
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the sentence is about; it does not mean “is”.
- なんですnandesuwhat is it何 is read nan before です.
- か。kaquestion markerMakes the sentence a question; English often changes its word order instead.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- にほんごnihongoJapanese language
- のnolinking particleLinks the following noun to the preceding word; its English wording depends on the relationship.
- ほんhonbook
- です。desupolite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- だれのdarenowhose
- ほんhonbook
- ですdesupolite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
- か。kaquestion markerMakes the sentence a question; English often changes its word order instead.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- わたしのwatashinomy
- ほんhonbook
- です。desupolite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
Point from the speaker’s position
これ refers to something near the speaker, それ to something near the listener, and あれ to something away from both in a typical face-to-face situation. These words can stand by themselves.
Before a noun, use この, その, or あの: この本, this book. Do not place これ directly before a noun. Conversation can also use these words to refer back to ideas.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- これkorethis thing
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- ほんhonbook
- です。desuis (polite)
Japanese does not require a separate word for English “a” or “the” in this pattern.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- そのほんsonohonthat bookその means “that” before a noun; 本 means “book”.
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- わたしのほんwatashinohonmy book私の means “my”; の links the owner to the following noun.
- です。desuis (polite)
Connect nouns with の
の links a modifying noun to the noun after it. 私の本 is my book; 日本語の本 is a book in or about Japanese. The relationship is broader than ownership.
誰の asks whose. 何 asks what; before です the reading is normally なん. Learn the question with its reading instead of treating 何 as having one fixed pronunciation.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- これkorethis thing
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- だれのdarenowhose
- かばんkabanbag
- ですdesuis (polite)
- か。kaquestion markerMakes this a question. English may change its word order or add an auxiliary instead.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- あのひとanohitothat person (over there)あの points to something away from both speakers.
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- だれdarewho
- ですdesuis (polite)
- か。kaquestion markerMakes this a question. English may change its word order or add an auxiliary instead.
Lesson vocabulary
Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Japanese before looking.
| Japanese / reading | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| これ これ | this (thing) | |
| それ それ | that (thing near you) | |
| あれ あれ | that (thing over there) | |
| 誰 だれ | who | |
| 何 なん | what (before です) | |
| かばん かばん | bag |
Practice questions
Try every question, then check your answers. Punctuation and spacing do not affect your score. Use the displayed Japanese spelling or the complete kana reading; mixed spellings are accepted only when explicitly listed. Long vowels, small kana, and verb endings matter.
Showing an answer makes that question a practice item worth zero for this attempt. Retry with the answers hidden when you’re ready. If audio cannot play, use Show answer / text to practice by reading.
Independent practice
These are independent practice tasks. The site does not record your voice, save your writing, or grade open-ended answers. Ask a teacher or conversation partner for feedback when you can.
Speaking practice
Use three real objects to ask what each one is and whose it is.
Writing practice
Write one noun phrase with each of この, その, and あの, then add a sentence with 私の.
Review the lesson objectives
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