Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "That" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "that", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
あちら
あちら (achira)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
そのため
そのため (sono tame)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "that" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あちら and そのため.
In Japanese, あちら (あちら (achira)) is typically associated with "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite equivalent of あれ.
On the other hand, そのため (そのため (sono tame)) maps to "for that reason, therefore" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents A conjunction used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, where the preceding statement is the reason for the following one. More formal than 「だから」.. A literal translation of "that" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "あちら"
あちらの建物が博物館です。 / あちらの方が部長です。
That building over there is the museum. / That person over there is the department manager.
Bilingual Context for "そのため"
昨日は雨が降った。そのため、運動会は中止になった。
It rained yesterday. For that reason, the sports day was cancelled.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ の建物が博物館です。 / ＿＿＿ の方が部長です。" (Meaning: "That building over there is the museum. / That person over there is the department manager.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あちら" fits here because it means "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)" in the context of: "That building over there is the museum. / That person over there is the department manager.". "そのため" represents "for that reason, therefore".