Refer to a thing near the listener: それ

Mental Model: The Listener's Domain as a Pronoun

The pronoun それ stands for an inanimate object located in the listener's personal space:

• An item the listener is holding: それは何ですか(それはなんですか) (sore wa nan desu ka): “What is that (in your hand)?”
• Passing an object near them: それを取ってください(それをとってください): “Please hand me that (near you).”
• Asking about what they are eating: それ、美味しい？(それ、おいしい？): “Is that good?”

Just like これ, それ is an independent pronoun. It replaces the noun entirely and attaches directly to case particles:

• それは誰の鍵ですか(それはだれのかぎですか): “Whose keys are those?”
• それを見てもいいですか(それをみてもいいですか): “May I see that?”

The Conversational Ping-Pong Flip

Notice how demonstratives switch perspectives during conversation:

1. Speaker A holds up a photo and says: **これ**を見て！ (“Look at this!” — Speaker's space: これ). 2. Speaker B looks across the table and asks: **それ**は何の写真？ (“What is that a photo of?” — Listener's space: それ). 3. If Speaker B reaches over and takes the photo, it enters Speaker B's hands and becomes their これ!

This perspective flip is identical to the English “this” vs “that” exchange.

The Conversational Agreement Super-Phrase

Beyond physical objects, それ refers directly to the statement, proposal, or emotion the other person just shared. It forms some of the most dynamic colloquial reactions in Japanese:

• それ、いいね！: “That's a great idea!” / “Love that!”
• それそれ！: “That's it! Exactly what I was trying to say!” (Doubling for enthusiastic agreement).
• それは大変ですね(それはたいへんですね): “That sounds really rough / what a tough situation.”
• それは良かったです(それはよかったです): “That's wonderful to hear / I'm glad!”