Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "それ", "あの人", "あちら", "例の"
All represent the core concept "that", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
それ
それ (sore)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
あの人
あのひと (ano hito)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
あちら
あちら (achira)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
例の
れいの (reino)
C1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "that" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "それ", "あの人", "あちら", "例の" 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..
- あの人 (あのひと (ano hito) - Level: N5): Maps to "that person; he; she" and is used when A polite way to refer to someone who is not present or who is slightly distant. 「あの方.
- 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.
- 例の (れいの (reino) - Level: C1): Maps to "that, the usual" 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 "あの人"
あの人はだれですか。
Who is that person?
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 "例の"
私は例のに興味があります。
I am interested in that, the usual.
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?".