その
sono[so̞no̞]
The English word "the" can be expressed in Japanese using その (sono).
その functions more like the demonstrative adjective "that" (near the listener).
Meaning: article (article)
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'the', which is a definite article, その functions more like the demonstrative adjective 'that' (near the listener).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form その must always be followed by a noun, as it cannot stand alone.
How do you pronounce it?
sono
Did you know?
- When その is used as a filler word in conversation, it acts similarly to 'um' or 'so' in English to pause for thought.
- The word その belongs to a three-part system of demonstratives called 'ko-so-a', which categorizes objects by their distance from the speaker and listener.
- The linguistic ancestor of その is the Old Japanese distal demonstrative root そ, which indicated things distant from the speaker.
Examples in context
- その内訳は？Give me the details.The first sentence shows how to use その when asking for details.Tatoeba #207402 by small_snow, translation #1491976 by Plangam
- その調子だ。That's the spirit.The second sentence illustrates an idiomatic expression using その.Tatoeba #207773 by bunbuku, translation #45027 by CM
- その調子だよ。That's the way.The third sentence shows a slightly more casual variation of the previous expression using その.Tatoeba #207772 by bunbuku, translation #45025 by CK
- あの車That car
- あの公園The park (over there)
- あの場所The place (over there)
- 2735 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a book in a cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoその本、面白いですか？Sono hon, omoshiroi desu ka?Is that book interesting?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても面白いですよ。Hai, totemo omoshiroi desu yo.Yes, it is very interesting.
- 大翔 Hiroto私も読んでみたいです。Watashi mo yonde mitai desu.I want to read it too.
- 結衣 Yuiぜひ読んでみてください。Zehi yonde mite kudasai.Please do read it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “the” translations and entries その, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries その, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
