9.4 Demonstrative Pronouns: この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano) and どの (dono) + だれの (dare no)
This module explores この (kono), その (sono), あの (ano) and どの (dono) with nouns, along with 誰（だれ）の (dareno) for asking about ownership, essential for clear communication in Japanese.
Introduction to この, その, あの and どの
In Module 4.2, we learned about the demonstrative pronouns これ (kore: this [one]), それ (sore: that [one]), あれ (are: that [one over there]) and どれ (dore: which [one]).
Building on our knowledge from the module, this module explores an extension with この (kono: this [+ noun]), その (sono: that [+ noun]), あの (ano: that [+ noun over there]) and どの (which [+ noun]).
We will also learn about 誰の (だれの, dare no: whose [+ noun]).
These pronouns are essential for specifying which items or whose belongings are being referred to, as well as indicating ownership.
Referring to the particle の (no)
In Module 3.4, we covered how to use の to show possession. This module expands on that with この, その, あの, どの and 誰の.
These words are essential because they must be used with nouns to indicate things nearby, near the listener, far away or to inquire about ownership.
NOTE: When using demonstrative pronouns like これ (this), それ (that), あれ (that over there), remember they stand alone and don’t attach directly to nouns. For example, say これは車（くるま）です (‘This is a car’), not これ車.
On the other hand, この (this), その (that), あの (that over there), and どの (which) are used directly with nouns. For example, say この車 (‘this car’) rather than このは車です. Keep in mind that これ, それ, あれ and どれ are standalone pronouns, while この, その, あの and どの modify nouns.
Usage in sentences
1. この: Indicates objects near the speaker
Examples:
- この本（ほん）: This book (near the speaker)
この本はとてもおもしろいですね。
Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi desu ne.
This book is very interesting, isn’t it?
- この店（みせ）: This shop (near the speaker)
いつもこの店で魚（さかな）を買（か）います。
Itsumo kono mise de sakana o kai masu.
I always buy fish at this shop.
2. その: Indicates objects near the listener
Examples:
- その車 : That car (near the listener)
その車は新（あたら）しいですね。
Sono kuruma wa atarashii desu ne.
That car is new, isn’t it?
- そのホテル（ほてる）: That hotel (near the listener)
そのホテルに温泉（おんせん）があります。
Sono hoteru ni onsen ga ari masu.
That hotel has a hot spring. (Literally, ‘There is a hot spring at that hotel.’)
3. あの: Indicates objects far from both the speaker and the listener
Examples:
- あの山（やま）: That mountain (over there)
あの山は富士山（ふじさん）です。
Ano yama wa Fuji-san desu.
That mountain over there is Mt. Fuji.
- あの人（ひと）: That person (over there)
あの人は誰ですか。
Ano hito wa dare desu ka.
Who is that person over there?
4. どの: Interrogative (which)
Examples:
- どのホーム（ほおむ）: Which platform
山手線（やまのてせん）はどのホームですか。
Yamanote-sen wa dono hoomu desu ka.
Which platform is the Yamanote-line?
5. 誰（だれ）の: Interrogative (whose)
The question word 誰 is used with the possessive particle の to ask who owns or possesses something. To avoid repeating the noun that is owned, you can respond with のです (no desu) immediately after identifying who owns or possesses it.
Here’s how:
この携帯（けいたい）は誰（だれ）のですか。
Kono keitai wa dare no desu ka.
Whose mobile phone is this?
A: トムさんのです。
Tomu-san no desu.
It’s Tom’s.
NOTE: In Japanese, it’s often natural to avoid repetition when the context is clear. Instead of saying トムさんの携帯です (Tomu-san no keitai desu: It’s Tom’s mobile phone), you can simply say トムさんのです to avoid repeating the noun 携帯.
その犬（いぬ）は誰のですか。
Sono inu wa dare no desu ka.
Whose dog is that?
A: わかりません。
Wakari masen.
I don’t know.
Q: あの車は誰のですか。
Ano kuruma wa dare no desu ka.
Whose car is that over there?
A: 私（わたし）のです。
Watashi no desu.
That’s mine.
NOTE: Instead of saying 私の車です (Watashi no kuruma desu: That’s my car), you can simply say 私のです (Watashi no desu: That’s mine).
This pattern applies to other pronouns and nouns as well. For example:
- Instead of 私（わたし）のお母（かあ）さんの本です (Watashi no okaasan no hon desu: It’s my mum’s book), you can say 私のお母さんのです (Watashi no okaasan no desu: It’s my mum’s).
Using this structure helps make conversations smoother and avoids unnecessary repetition when the noun that is owned or possessed is already clear to the listener.
Exercise 1
