Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "That" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "that", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
あれ
あれ (are)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あちら
あちら (achira)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "that" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あれ and あちら.
In Japanese, あれ (あれ (are)) is typically associated with "that (over there)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents 指示詞の一つで、話し手からも聞き手からも遠いものや場所、あるいは以前に話題になったことを指すのに使います。主に名詞の代わりとして使われます。英語の "that" や "that one" に相当します。.
On the other hand, あちら (あちら (achira)) maps to "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite equivalent of あれ. A literal translation of "that" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "あれ"
あれは私の傘です。
That (over there) is my umbrella.
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.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ は私の傘です。" (Meaning: "That (over there) is my umbrella.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "あれ" fits here because it means "that (over there)" in the context of: "That (over there) is my umbrella.". "あちら" represents "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)".