Explanation
これ = near speaker, それ = near listener, あれ = far from both. この/その/あの modify nouns: このほん = "this book".
Formation: これ, それ, and あれ stand alone as nouns. To attach them to a noun, use この, その, あの plus the noun. The question word is どれ (which one) or どの plus noun.
Usage & nuance: これ is near the speaker, それ is near the listener, and あれ is far from both. The choice depends on physical or mental distance from the two people talking, not on the object itself, so the same item can be これ in one conversation and それ in another.
Compare: これ vs この. これは私の本です uses これ by itself as a subject, while この本は私のです uses この before a noun. Never write これの.
हिंदी में समझें
これ = बोलने वाले के पास, それ = सुनने वाले के पास, あれ = दोनों से दूर। この/その/あの संज्ञा से पहले आते हैं।
Examples
- これはなんですか。 (Kore wa nan desu ka?)
हिंदी: यह क्या है?
English: What is this? - それはいくらですか。 (Sore wa ikura desu ka?)
हिंदी: वह कितने का है?
English: How much is that? - あのひとはだれですか。 (Ano hito wa dare desu ka?)
हिंदी: वह व्यक्ति कौन है?
English: Who is that person? - これは何ですか。 (Kore wa nan desu ka.)
हिंदी: यह क्या है?
English: What is this? - あれは富士山です。 (Are wa Fujisan desu.)
हिंदी: वह दूर माउंट फ़ूजी है।
English: That over there is Mount Fuji.
Common mistakes
- これほん → このほん — Use この before nouns, これ standalone.
Practice this topic
Test your understanding with 3 questions on これ / それ / あれ — Demonstratives.