When you're talking about something that's close to the person you're speaking to, but a bit further away from you, you use それ (sore). Think of it as 'that one over there, by you.' It's like saying 'that' in English when the item is within the listener's reach or general area.
For example, if someone asks 'What's that?' and they're pointing to something near them, you'd use それ.
When you want to talk about something that's closer to the person you're speaking to than it is to you, you use それ (sore). Think of it like saying 'that' in English when you're pointing to something in someone else's hand or right next to them.
For example, if your friend has a book on their desk and you want to ask about it, you'd use それ because the book is near them. It helps to differentiate between things near you (これ - kore), things near the listener (それ - sore), and things far from both of you (あれ - are).
§ Don't confuse それ (sore) with これ (kore) or あれ (are)
Many beginners mix up これ (kore), それ (sore), and あれ (are). Remember the 'ko-so-a-do' rule:
So, if you want to talk about something close to you, use これ (kore). If it's close to the person you're talking to, use それ (sore). If it's far from both of you, use あれ (are).
§ Using それ (sore) when referring to yourself
It's incorrect to use それ (sore) to refer to something directly related to yourself or your immediate surroundings when you are the speaker. For example, if you're holding a book, you wouldn't ask 'それ は 何 です か？' (Sore wa nan desu ka? - What is that?) to someone else while pointing to your own book. You'd use これ (kore).
これは私の本です。
Kore wa watashi no hon desu.
- Hint
- This is my book.
Using それ (sore) in this situation would sound unnatural, as if you're distancing yourself from your own possession or implying the listener has possession of it.
§ Overusing それ (sore) when a more specific noun is better
While それ (sore) is useful, don't rely on it too much. If you've already established what 'that thing' is, it's often more natural and clear to use the actual noun, especially if the conversation shifts or if there's any ambiguity.
そのりんごは美味しいですか？
Sono ringo wa oishii desu ka?
- Hint
- Is that apple delicious?
Here, 'そのりんご' (sono ringo - that apple) is more specific than just saying 'それ' (sore), especially if there are other items nearby.
§ Using それ (sore) when referring to a person rudely
While それ (sore) can technically refer to people in very informal or specific contexts (like pointing someone out in a group quickly), it's generally considered impolite to refer to a person as 'それ' (sore) as it can sound dehumanizing. Always use more respectful terms like その人 (sono hito - that person) or the person's name.
その人は誰ですか？
Sono hito wa dare desu ka?
- Hint
- Who is that person?
Using 'その人' (sono hito) is always a safer and more polite option.
§ Not understanding its use for abstract concepts
Remember, それ (sore) isn't just for physical objects. It can refer to ideas, situations, or previous statements made by the listener. Don't limit its use to only tangible items.
それはいい考えですね。
Sore wa ii kangae desu ne.
- Hint
- That's a good idea, isn't it?
In this case, 'それ' (sore) refers to the 'idea' the listener just mentioned. This is a very common and natural usage.
أمثلة حسب المستوى
それは何ですか。
What is that?
これは (kore wa) is used for 'this' (near speaker), それは (sore wa) for 'that' (near listener), and あれは (are wa) for 'that over there' (far from both).
それは私のペンです。
That is my pen.
The particle の (no) indicates possession.
それを見せてください。
Please show me that.
～を (o) marks the direct object. ください (kudasai) means 'please give me' or 'please do'.
それ、おいしいですか。
Is that delicious?
A simple question can be formed by adding か (ka) at the end of a sentence.
それ、高いですか。
Is that expensive?
高い (takai) can mean 'expensive' or 'tall/high'.
それ、ください。
That one, please.
A common way to ask for something in a shop.
それは違います。
That is wrong / That's not it.
違います (chigaimasu) is the polite negative form of 違う (chigau - to be different/wrong).
それ、簡単です。
That is easy.
簡単 (kantan) is a 'na-adjective'. It describes the noun 'それ'.
昨日注文した本、それはもう届きましたか？
Did that book I ordered yesterday already arrive?
これは、相手が意識しているものや場所を指す代名詞です。
あなたが言っていることは分かりますが、それは現実的ではありません。
I understand what you're saying, but that's not realistic.
相手の意見や発言全体を指して使われます。
その問題に対する解決策はいくつかありますが、それは最善の選択肢ではありません。
There are several solutions to that problem, but that's not the best option.
提示された選択肢や事柄の中から特定のものを指します。
今回のプロジェクトは非常に難しいですが、それは私たちにとって大きな成長の機会です。
This project is very difficult, but that's a big growth opportunity for us.
前の文で述べられた状況や出来事全体を指します。
彼はいつも忙しいと言っていますが、それは言い訳に過ぎません。
He always says he's busy, but that's just an excuse.
相手の発言や行動に対して、疑問や反論を示す際に使われます。
私が求めているのは、具体的なデータに基づいた証拠であり、それはあなたの推測ではありません。
What I'm looking for is evidence based on concrete data, and that's not your speculation.
比較や対比の中で、特定のものを強調して指します。
会議で提示された新しい提案、それは会社の将来を左右するかもしれません。
The new proposal presented at the meeting, that might determine the company's future.
文頭に置かれ、後の説明や評価の対象を明確にします。
彼が突然会社を辞めた理由、それは未だに謎に包まれています。
The reason he suddenly quit the company, that is still shrouded in mystery.
前の情報を受けて、その内容についてさらに詳しく述べる際に使われます。
اختبر نفسك 42 أسئلة
___ は何ですか。 (What is that?)
Use 'それ' when referring to something near the listener.
A: これは本ですか。 B: はい、___ は本です。 (A: Is this a book? B: Yes, that is a book.)
When the speaker refers to something the listener has, use 'それ'.
A: ___ はあなたの傘ですか。 B: いいえ、ちがいます。 (A: Is that your umbrella? B: No, it's not.)
Use 'それ' to ask about something near the listener.
___ はペンですか、それとも鉛筆ですか。 (Is that a pen or a pencil?)
Use 'それ' when asking about an item near the person you're speaking to.
A: これは私の鞄です。 B: ああ、___ ですか。 (A: This is my bag. B: Oh, is that it?)
When the listener refers to something the speaker just mentioned or showed, 'それ' is appropriate.
すみません、___ を見せてください。 (Excuse me, please show me that.)
Use 'それ' when asking to see an item that is near the listener.
___ は何ですか。 (What is that?)
The question asks 'What is that?' referring to something near the listener. 'それ' is the correct pronoun for 'that' when the item is close to the person being spoken to.
___ は私の傘です。 (That is my umbrella.)
If someone is pointing to your umbrella and you confirm it's yours, 'それ' is used because the umbrella is near the listener (the person pointing).
___ を取ってください。 (Please take that.)
When asking someone to take an item that is near them, 'それ' is the appropriate pronoun.
___ はとても面白いですね。 (That is very interesting, isn't it?)
If you are commenting on something the listener has just mentioned or shown you, 'それ' is used to refer to 'that' topic or item.
すみません、___ を見せていただけますか。 (Excuse me, could you show me that?)
When asking a shop assistant to show you an item that is within their reach, 'それ' is used.
___ は本当に便利です。 (That is really convenient.)
If you are discussing an item or concept that is currently with or being used by the listener, 'それ' is the correct pronoun.
Someone is asking about something near the listener.
Someone is identifying an object near the listener.
Someone is asking the price of something near the listener.
Read this aloud:
それはあなたの傘ですか？
Focus: ka-sa (umbrella)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
それはとても便利です。
Focus: ben-ri (convenient)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
それはどうですか。
Focus: dou (how)
قلت:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'That is my umbrella.' 'それは' (sore wa) is the topic particle, '私の' (watashi no) means 'my', and '傘です' (kasa desu) means 'is an umbrella'.
This sentence asks 'How much is that?' 'それは' (sore wa) refers to 'that thing' and 'いくらですか' (ikura desu ka) is the common way to ask 'how much'.
This sentence translates to 'That's an interesting book, isn't it?' '面白い' (omoshiroi) means interesting, and '本ですね' (hon desu ne) means 'it's a book, isn't it?' using the 'ne' particle for confirmation.
この本と、___と、どちらがいいですか？
The question implies 'this book and that one (near you)', making 'それ' the most appropriate choice.
A: 私の傘知りませんか？ B: ああ、___ならそこにありますよ。
Speaker B is referring to the umbrella that is near speaker B, so 'それ' is correct.
A: どんな映画が好きですか？ B: ___はあまり見ません。
Speaker B is referring to 'the kind of movies you just mentioned', so 'それ' is appropriate.
A: 新しいレストラン、行きましたか？ B: ええ、___はとても良かったですよ。
Speaker B is referring to the 'new restaurant' that speaker A brought up, so 'それ' is the natural choice.
A: 鍵をなくしてしまいました。 B: ___は困りましたね。
Speaker B is commenting on the situation speaker A just described. 'それ' refers to 'that situation'.
A: 明日の会議、参加しますか？ B: はい、___は参加する予定です。
Speaker B is referring to 'the meeting you just mentioned', thus 'それ' is correct.
This sentence means 'That is my umbrella.' 'それ' refers to an object near the listener. The particle 'は' marks the topic, '私' means 'I' or 'me', 'の' indicates possession, and '傘' means 'umbrella'. 'です' is a polite copula.
This sentence means 'Please take that.' 'それ' is the object, marked by 'を'. '取って' is the te-form of '取る' (to take), and 'ください' makes it a polite request.
This sentence means 'Is that true?' 'それ' refers to the statement being discussed. 'は' marks the topic. '本当' means 'true' or 'real'. 'です' is the polite copula, and 'か' indicates a question.
複雑な理論について議論する際、___を理解するのは難しい。
文脈から、相手が話している複雑な理論を指すため「それ」が適切です。
あなたが抱えている問題、___についてはどう思いますか？
聞き手が直面している問題を指しているので、「それ」が適切です。
彼女の提案はとても魅力的だったが、___を実行するのは困難だ。
相手（または聞き手）の提案内容を指すため「それ」を使います。
多くの人がその映画を絶賛しているが、私には___の魅力が全く理解できない。
話題になっている映画（聞き手にも認識されているもの）の魅力を指すため「それ」が適切です。
先日お話しした件、___についてもう少し詳しく聞かせてください。
以前話した内容、つまり聞き手が知っている事柄を指すので「それ」が適切です。
経済の低迷は深刻だが、___に対する具体的な対策はまだ見えない。
話題となっている経済の低迷（聞き手も認識している）を指すため、「それ」が適しています。
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
محتوى ذو صلة
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
مزيد من كلمات general
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
