This, that, and what it is
After lesson 02 you know the polite ending です (DESU) and question ending ですか (DESU KA). Now use them for objects instead of people. Put a notebook or book in front of you; you do not need a classroom.
1. Where is the object?
A demonstrative lets you refer to something before you know its name. In this lesson we use visible objects. Choose これ (KORE) for something near you, the speaker. Choose それ (SORE) for something near the person you are talking to. Choose あれ (ARE) for something away from both of you.
The diagram below is not a fixed translation of every English use of ‘this’ and ‘that’. It shows three positions. Place a notebook beside you, imagine a pencil beside the other person and a bag farther away. Point to each in turn. Start by saying just KORE, SORE or ARE; complete sentences come next.
2. Naming six objects
Do not learn the six objects below as one long list. Start with ほん (HON), ノート (NOOTO) and えんぴつ (ENPITSU). Listen to each word and point to something that matches. Then add けしゴム (KESHIGOMU), かばん (KABAN) and じしょ (JISHO). The reading-support button hides kana and romaji lines in the example cards; the first mention in this explanation remains visible for orientation.
In ノート (NOOTO), the line lengthens the O; it is not decoration. In じしょ (JISHO), small ょ combines with し to make SHO. The characters differ, but both words fit the same place in a sentence. You do not need to write kanji to do this lesson. Use the flashcards for a short recall round, then come back.
3. From pointing to a sentence
Use the pattern you know from lesson 02: what are you talking about, and what do you say about it? With これは (KORE WA), you make ‘this’ the topic of your statement. Here は is pronounced WA. Next, name the object. End politely with です (DESU).
Read the sentence below as three meaningful blocks, not as isolated English words. Japanese does not need a separate word for ‘a’ here. You can replace ノート with ほん (HON) without changing the rest. これ can refer to an object on its own; do not write これほん to make ‘this book’. You will learn that other construction in lesson 04.
これはノートです。
それはえんぴつです。
4. Asking what something is
If you do not know the name, replace that name with なん (NAN), ‘what’. Turn the statement into a question with か (KA) at the end. ‘This is a notebook’ then becomes ‘What is this?’. The position of the unknown piece stays the same. In なんですか (NAN DESU KA), use NAN, not NANI.
何 can also be read なに (NANI); you will meet that reading in other patterns later. For this lesson, NAN DESU KA is enough. The answer supplies the missing name, for example じしょです (JISHO DESU). You do not need to repeat the demonstrative when both people know what is being discussed. Each short writing task specifies whether it wants a full or short form.
これはなんですか。
じしょです。
5. Changing speakers
Bram holds a notebook and asks ‘What is this?’. It is close to Bram: これ (KORE). Aki stands opposite him and answers ‘That is a notebook’: それ (SORE). The notebook has not moved. Only the person speaking has changed.
Read the two lines below in turn as Bram and Aki. During each turn, point to the notebook from that person's position. Then place it away from both of you and choose the demonstrative again. Both can then use あれ (ARE). This perspective matters more than memorising a single fixed English translation.
これはなんですか。
それはノートです。
6. Try without a model
Choose three objects and give them different positions. Name each in a full sentence. Then change one statement into a question asking for its name. Finally, switch imaginary speakers and check whether the demonstrative changes. This practises meaning, not just a string of sounds.
Below you can try your own application, then open the final check. The first two questions check understanding, followed by two short written answers. Kana and the corresponding romaji are accepted; spaces and full stops are not decisive. Hints are allowed but recorded as help. If something remains difficult, return to the relevant chapter instead of repeating everything.