Japanese word

その

Pronunciation

Romajisono

Meaning

  • pre-noun adjectivalthat

Example

その本はおもしろいです。so no hon wa o mo shi ro i de su

That book is interesting.

Illustration for その (that)

More examples

その先生は優しいです。so no sen sei wa yasa shi i de su

That teacher is kind.

その人に名前を聞きます。so no hito ni na mae o ki ki ma su

I ask that person their name.

Core concept

Places a noun outside the speaker's immediate sphere or connects it with something previously mentioned.

Common phrases

  • その本so no hon

    that book

  • その人so no hito

    that person

Similar words

このkono: Modifies a noun for something close to the speaker.
あのano: Modifies a noun for something visible at a distance from both people.
どのdono: Modifies a noun when asking which one is meant.

Definition in Japanese

話し手から離れた物のうち、聞き手の側にある物や既出の物を指して名詞を修飾する語。hana shi te ka ra hana re ta mono no u chi ki ki te no gawa ni a ru mono ya ki shutsu no mono o sa shi te mei shi o shū shoku su ru go

Word origin

その (sono) is a native Japanese demonstrative formed from そ (so, "that") and の (no, "an attributive marker").

Usage tips

  • Japanese demonstratives change form with their grammatical role: その (sono) modifies a noun, while それ (sore) replaces a noun.

Other meanings

  • thepre-noun adjectival

Word lists with this word