Latest / Learn Japanese with Fexingo / Japanese Location Words - This That That Over There
Transcript
- Lucas: Hey Luna, ready for another episode of Learn Japanese with Fexingo? Luna: Absolutely! Last time we learned ここ, そこ, and あそこ for here and there. That was so useful. Lucas: Good memory. Today we're going to learn similar words but for objects: これ, それ, and あれ. Luna: Oh, those sound familiar. これ means 'this', right? Lucas: Exactly right. これ means 'this' when the object is close to you. Let's all say it together: これ. Luna: これ. Lucas: Perfect. And それ means 'that', when it's close to the listener but not the speaker. Luna: So if I'm holding a pen and you say これ, but if you're holding it, I say それ? Lucas: Yes! And あれ means 'that over there', far from both of us. Luna: あれ. That's for something distant. Lucas: Right. Let's practice with objects. これはペンです — this is a pen. Repeat. Luna: これはペンです. So if I point to a book near you, I say それは本です? Lucas: Exactly. それは本です — that is a book. And if there's a cat far away, あれは猫です — that over there is a cat. Luna: あれは猫です. I love cats. So the pattern is + は + + です. Lucas: You got it. Let's say all three together. これはペンです. Luna: これはペンです. Lucas: それは本です. Luna: それは本です. Lucas: あれは猫です. Luna: あれは猫です. Lucas: And if you're not sure what something is, you can ask: これは何ですか — what is this? Luna: これは何ですか. That's handy. So I can point to something and ask. Lucas: Right. Let's do a quick scene. Imagine we're at a cafe. You see a coffee cup near you. Luna: これはコーヒーですか — is this coffee? Lucas: Yes, はい、これはコーヒーです. Now I see a menu on the table near you. Luna: あ、それはメニューです — oh, that is a menu. Lucas: Perfect. And there's a poster on the far wall. Luna: あれはポスターです — that over there is a poster. Lucas: Good job! Now, before we go further, a quick honest thing. Fexingo is listener-funded, which means no ads. A handful of listeners chip in monthly through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, and that literally funds making this many episodes. Luna: Yeah, it really helps keep the show going for everyone. We appreciate every bit of support. Lucas: So anyway, let's practice a little more. Repeat after me: これ. Luna: これ. Lucas: それ. Luna: それ. Lucas: あれ. Luna: あれ. Lucas: Now, let's combine. I'll point to my pen: これはペンです. Luna: これはペンです. Lucas: Your notebook: それはノートです. Luna: それはノートです. Lucas: The window over there: あれは窓です. Luna: あれは窓です. This is so practical. I can already use it. Lucas: That's the goal. Let's do a quick review. What's 'this' when it's near you? Luna: これ. Lucas: And 'that' near the listener? Luna: それ. Lucas: And 'that over there'? Luna: あれ. Lucas: Excellent. Now, let's try a little test. I'll say an object, and you choose the right word. A book in your hand. Luna: それは本です. Lucas: A phone in my hand. Luna: これは電話です. Lucas: A tree outside. Luna: あれは木です. Lucas: Perfect. You're a natural. Luna: Thanks! I really like how これ, それ, あれ are so clear. Lucas: They are. And remember, the は particle is pronounced 'wa' when used as a topic marker. Luna: Right, so これは is 'kore wa'. Lucas: Exactly. Let's say the whole phrase: これはペンです. Luna: これはペンです. Lucas: それは本です. Luna: それは本です. Lucas: あれは猫です. Luna: あれは猫です. Lucas: Great. So that's today's lesson. Practice pointing at things around you and saying これ, それ, あれ. Luna: I will. Thanks for another fun episode, Lucas. Lucas: You're welcome. Thanks for joining us on Learn Japanese with Fexingo. Keep practicing, and see you next time!