Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "それ", "あれ", "そちら", "あちら"
All represent the core concept "that", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
それ
それ (sore)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
あれ
あれ (are)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
そちら
そちら (sochira)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
あちら
あちら (achira)
N5 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "that" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "それ", "あれ", "そちら", "あちら" 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..
- あれ (あれ (are) - Level: N5): Maps to "that (over there)" and is used when 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。.
- そちら (そちら (sochira) - Level: N5): Maps to "that way, that place; that person (polite)" and is used when Polite equivalent of それ.
- 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.
Context for "それ"
それはあなたの本ですか。
Is that your book?
Context for "あれ"
あれは私の傘です。
That (over there) is my umbrella.
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)?
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.
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?".