Point something out (this / that)

A pronoun meaning 'this' — refers to something close to the speaker.

JLPTN5

これは [noun/description] ですkore / sore / are

point to things by distance

Example Sentences

これthis はいくらhow much ですか？

How much is this?

Word Details →

これthis はなに何？what

What is this?

Word Details →

これ stands alone as the topic or subject of a sentence and replaces the noun entirely, unlike the modifier この which must precede a noun. It is the proximal member of the これ・それ・あれ pronoun triad, contrasting with それ (near the listener) and あれ (far from both). When identifying or asking about an unknown object in hand, これは何ですか is the standard frame.

Tips and Common Traps

Hana· Key point

これ, それ, あれ — near me, near you, far from both of us. Once you feel the distance logic, the whole ko-so-a-do system falls into place.

Maru· Common trap

これ stands alone; この attaches to a noun. これ本 is wrong — say この本このほん (this book).

Build the Sentence

JLPT N5

1 / 5

this is an apple

Arrange the words in the correct Japanese order:

は

what it's about · said "wa"

です

is / am (polite)

りんご

apple

これ

this

この + [noun]あれは [noun/description] ですそれ + はこれ・それ・あれ