Japanese word

あれ

Pronunciation

Romajiare

Meaning

  • pronounthat

Example

あれは何ですか。a re wa nan de su ka

What is that?

Illustration for あれ (that)

More examples

あれを見てください。a re o mi te ku da sa i

Please look at that.

Core concept

Refers to a distant or unstated matter and can express a moment of surprise or confusion when the matter is left implicit.

Common phrases

  • あれの名前a re no na mae

    the name of that

  • あれと同じa re to ona ji

    same as that

  • あれについてa re ni tsu i te

    about that

Similar words

それsore: Refers to an object or matter near the listener or already known in the conversation.
これkore: Refers to an object or matter close to the speaker.
どれdore: Asks which one among several objects or matters is meant.

Definition in Japanese

話し手と聞き手の双方から離れた物や事柄を指し示す語。hana shi te to ki ki te no sō hō ka ra hana re ta mono ya koto gara o sa shi shime su go

Word origin

The native Japanese word あれ (are) combines あ (a, "over there") with れ (re), the demonstrative element shared with これ (kore) and それ (sore).

Usage tips

  • In conversation, あれ (are) can point not only to a visible object but also to a matter that both speakers already know.

Other meanings

  • huh?interjection

Word lists with this word