Point to something far from both of you: あの
Point out distant objects, landmarks, and mutually known shared memories with the distant adnominal あの ([noun]).
Specifying a Distant Noun (Adnominal)
ano mise de koohii o nomimashou
Let's drink coffee at that cafe over there.
あの (Distant Noun) vs その (Listener's Noun)
Micro-Shiftあの人は 誰ですか。
Person walking across the square far awayWho is that person over there?
あの points to an individual or thing outside the sphere of both conversation partners.
Example Sentences
あの人that person誰？whoWho is that person?
Mental Model: The Distant Horizon (The A-Domain)
In the Japanese demonstrative system, あ marks territory that is physically or psychologically distant from BOTH the speaker and the listener:
- この (Ko-Domain): Close to the speaker.
- その (So-Domain): Close to the listener.
- あの (A-Domain): Distant from both of you out on the mutual horizon!
When you and a conversation partner stand together looking down a street, anything over in the distance takes あの + [noun]:
- あのビルは何ですか (ano biru wa nan desu ka): “What is that building over there?”
- あの山がきれいです (ano yama ga kirei desu): “That mountain over there is beautiful.”
- あの人は誰ですか (ano hito wa dare desu ka): “Who is that person over there?”
Pronoun vs Adnominal: あれ vs あの
Just like これ and この, the あ series has an independent pronoun and a noun-modifying adnominal:
- あれ (Independent Pronoun):
- Stands alone: あれは何ですか: “What is that thing over there?”
- あの (Adnominal Modifier):
- Must pair directly with a noun: あの建物は何ですか: “What is that building over there?”
- Saying bare
*あのはis ungrammatical.
The Epistemic Magic of あの: Mutually Known Shared Memories
Beyond physical distance, あの possesses a fascinating psychological role in Japanese conversation. When referring to a topic, person, or experience that both you and the listener know about, Japanese instinctively chooses あの:
- あの映画、覚えていますか: “Do you remember that movie (the one we both watched / know about)?”
- あの店、すごく美味しかったですね: “That restaurant (the one we went to together) was so delicious, wasn't it!”
If only the speaker knows about it and the listener does not, Japanese switches to その (その店). By using あの, you subtly convey: “I know that you know exactly what I am referring to.”
Distinct from the Hesitation Filler あのう
Be careful not to confuse the demonstrative modifier あの with the conversational hesitation filler あのう… / あの… (“Umm…” / “Excuse me…”):
- Demonstrative modifier: Speaks without pause before a noun: あの車.
- Hesitation filler: Pauses with prolonged vowel before initiating speech: あのう、すみません….
In Dialogue
- Min-ho
あの看板、何て書いてありますか。
What is written on that sign over there?
Kenji『本日休業』と書いてありますね。今日は休みみたいです。
It says 'Closed Today'. Looks like they're off today.
Quick Check
Select the correct modifier to complete: ‘What is that tall building over there?’