hanamaru
Point to a thing near you
A modifier meaning 'this ...' — placed directly before a noun to point to something close to the speaker.
JLPTN5
この + [noun]kono + [noun]
this [noun] (near me)
Example Sentences
This shop is cheap!
この means “this” and always sits directly in front of a noun — この本, never この on its own. It points to something close to the speaker, while その is close to the listener and あの is far from both. When you need “this one” with no noun after it, use これ; for the place itself, ここ.
Tips and Common Traps
Hana· Key point
You'll use この all the time for things right in front of you — このメニュー (this menu), この席 (this seat). It's one of the first words that makes Japanese feel real.
