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
そちら
そちら (sochira)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "that" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between あれ and そちら.
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, そちら (そちら (sochira)) maps to "that way, that place; that person (polite)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite equivalent of それ. 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 "そちら"
そちらの天気はどうですか。 / 彼はそちらにいますか。
How is the weather there (near you)? / Is he over there (near you)?
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.". "そちら" represents "that way, that place; that person (polite)".