Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "それ", "あちら", "そのため", "すなわち", "即ち"
All represent the core concept "that", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
それ
それ (sore)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
あちら
あちら (achira)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
そのため
そのため (sono tame)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
すなわち
すなわち (sunawachi)
C1 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
即ち
すなわち (sunawachi)
C1 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "that" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "それ", "あちら", "そのため", "すなわち", "即ち" based on context.
- それ (それ (sore) - Level: N5): Maps to "that (thing near listener)" and is used when Demonstrative pronoun referring to a thing near the listener, or something previously mentioned. Forms the 'so' series..
- あちら (あちら (achira) - Level: N5): Maps to "that way, that place; that person (polite, far from both)" and is used when Polite equivalent of あれ.
- そのため (そのため (sono tame) - Level: N4): Maps to "for that reason, therefore" and is used when 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」..
- すなわち (すなわち (sunawachi) - Level: C1): Maps to "that is, namely" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
- 即ち (すなわち (sunawachi) - Level: C1): Maps to "that is, namely" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "それ"
それはあなたの本ですか。
Is that your book?
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.
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.
Context for "すなわち"
私はすなわちに興味があります。
I am interested in that is, namely.
Context for "即ち"
私は即ちに興味があります。
I am interested in that is, namely.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ はあなたの本ですか。" (Meaning: "Is that your book?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "それ" is correct here because it represents "that (thing near listener)" in the context: "Is that your book?".