A1 Expression Formel

あれは何ですか

are wa nan desu ka

What is that? (far)

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to identify an object that is physically distant from both the speaker and the listener.

  • Means: Asking for the identity of an object far from both parties.
  • Used in: Museums, shopping, or pointing out landmarks in the distance.
  • Don't confuse: 'Kore' (near me) vs 'Sore' (near you) vs 'Are' (far from both).
Pointing finger + Distant object + Question mark = Identification

Explanation at your level:

This is a basic question to ask the name of something far away. Use it when you see an object and want to know what it is.
This phrase uses the 'Ko-So-A-Do' system. 'Are' refers to objects distant from both speaker and listener. It is a polite way to initiate a conversation about the environment.
The phrase functions as a deictic expression. By using 'are', the speaker establishes a spatial boundary. It is essential for navigation and object identification in public spaces, reflecting the Japanese focus on context-dependent communication.
This expression demonstrates the speaker's grasp of Japanese spatial deixis. It is not merely a question but a social tool that respects the listener's perspective by correctly categorizing the object's location relative to both parties.
From a linguistic perspective, 'are' functions as a distal demonstrative pronoun. The construction 'wa nan desu ka' is a standard interrogative frame. Its usage is governed by the 'distance-from-speaker-and-hearer' constraint, which is a hallmark of the Japanese language's highly refined spatial deixis system.
The phrase 'Are wa nan desu ka' exemplifies the cognitive linguistic principle of 'egocentric vs. allocentric' spatial referencing. By employing the distal 'are', the speaker effectively maps the environment into a shared cognitive space, facilitating successful communicative interaction through precise spatial categorization.

Signification

Asking for identification of a distant object.

🌍

Contexte culturel

Pointing with a finger is often considered rude. Use an open hand instead. The Ko-So-A-Do system is essential for politeness.

💡

Use your hand

Gesture with an open palm toward the object instead of pointing with one finger.

Signification

Asking for identification of a distant object.

💡

Use your hand

Gesture with an open palm toward the object instead of pointing with one finger.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct pronoun for an object far away.

___ wa nan desu ka?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Are

Are is for distant objects.

🎉 Score : /1

Aides visuelles

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

It is better to use 'Ano kata wa dare desu ka?' for people.

Expressions liées

🔗

これは何ですか

similar

What is this?

Où l'utiliser

🖼️

Museum Visit

Learner: すみません、あれは何ですか。

Guide: あれは古い絵画です。

formal
🗼

Street Sightseeing

Learner: あれは何ですか。

Friend: あれは東京タワーだよ。

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Are' as 'Away'. If it's 'Away' from both of us, use 'Are'.

Visual Association

Imagine pointing at a distant star or a far-off building with a friend.

Rhyme

Something far, use 'Are', don't go too far!

Story

You are walking in Tokyo. You see a strange tower. You point to it and ask your guide, 'Are wa nan desu ka?' They explain it's the Skytree. You now know the word for 'that thing over there'.

Word Web

これ (this)それ (that near you)あれ (that over there)何 (what)です (polite copula)か (question particle)

Défi

Point at 5 things in your room/street and ask 'Are wa nan desu ka?' for each.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¿Qué es aquello?

Spanish uses gendered articles, while Japanese is gender-neutral.

French moderate

Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?

French relies on context for distance, whereas Japanese requires the pronoun choice.

German moderate

Was ist das dort?

German uses a particle 'dort' while Japanese uses a specific pronoun 'are'.

Japanese high

あれは何ですか

None, this is the source.

Arabic moderate

ما ذلك؟ (Ma dhalika?)

Arabic is gendered (dhalika vs tilka), Japanese is not.

Easily Confused

あれは何ですか vs これは何ですか

Learners mix up 'kore' (this) and 'are' (that).

If you can touch it, use 'kore'. If it's far, use 'are'.

FAQ (1)

It is better to use 'Ano kata wa dare desu ka?' for people.

C'tait utile ?

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