Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "That" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "that", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そちら
そちら (sochira)
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 そちら and あちら.
In Japanese, そちら (そちら (sochira)) is typically associated with "that way, that place; that person (polite)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite equivalent of それ.
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 "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)?
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: " ＿＿＿ の天気はどうですか。 / 彼は ＿＿＿ にいますか。" (Meaning: "How is the weather there (near you)? / Is he over there (near you)?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そちら" fits here because it means "that way, that place; that person (polite)" in the context of: "How is the weather there (near you)? / Is he over there (near you)?". "あちら" represents "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)".