When learning a new language, it’s essential to understand how to express different concepts with accuracy. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say “those” in Japanese, both formally and informally. We will also touch upon any regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Those”
If you want to express “those” in a formal setting, such as in business or official environments, the following expressions will be useful:
- あれら (arerara) – This is the most formal way to say “those.” It indicates objects that are far from both the speaker and the listener. For example, “あれらは何ですか？” (arerara wa nan desu ka?) means “What are those over there?”
- それら (sorera) – This formal term implies objects close to the listener but far from the speaker. For instance, “それらは誰のですか？” (sorera wa dare no desu ka?) means “Whose are those?”
- これら (korerara) – This expression refers to objects that are close to both the speaker and the listener in a formal context. For example, “これらを見てください” (korerara o mite kudasai) means “Please look at those.”
Informal Ways to Say “Those”
Informally, you have flexibility with expressions to say “those” in Japanese. Below are a few commonly used ones:
- あれ (are) – This term is informally used to indicate things far from both the speaker and listener. For example, “あれは何？” (are wa nani?) means “What is that?”
- それ (sore) – Informally, “それ” is used to represent objects close to the listener but far from the speaker. For instance, “それは誰の？” (sore wa dare no?) means “Whose is that?”
- これ (kore) – Informally, this expression implies objects close to both the speaker and the listener. For example, “これをください” (kore o kudasai) means “Please give me that.”
Tips for Proper Usage
Here are a few essential tips to help you use the appropriate form of “those” in Japanese:
- Pay attention to the object’s distance from both the speaker and the listener when choosing one of the above expressions.
- Remember that Japanese sentence structures differ from English. The word order in Japanese is subject-object-verb, unlike English’s subject-verb-object.
- Practice using “those” in different sentence patterns to become more comfortable with its usage.
- Listen to native Japanese speakers, watch Japanese movies, or engage with language exchange partners to develop a better understanding of how “those” is used naturally.
Examples:
あれらの本は図書館にあります。 (arerano hon wa toshokan ni arimasu.)
“Those books are in the library.”
それらの車は非常に高価です。 (sorerano kuruma wa hijō ni kōka desu.)
“Those cars are very expensive.”
これらの果物は美味しいです。 (korerano kudamono wa oishii desu.)
“These fruits are delicious.”
Conclusion
Mastering how to say “those” in Japanese is crucial for effective communication. By understanding the formal and informal expressions provided in this guide, you will be able to express “those” accurately in various contexts. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing and engaging with the language to become more fluent. Happy learning!
