When you want to say "like this" or "in this way" in Japanese, you use the word こう (kou).
Imagine you're showing someone how to do something, like how to hold chopsticks. You might say, "Do it こう." meaning "Do it like this."
It's very useful for pointing to or demonstrating something in the immediate situation.
So, when you see こう, think of it as referring to something that is happening or being shown right now.
When using the adverb 「こう」, it literally translates to "like this" or "in this way." It refers to something immediately present or understood by both the speaker and the listener.
It's similar to saying "this way" while making a gesture, or referring to a method that has just been mentioned or demonstrated. Think of it as pointing with your words to a specific manner or state.
「こう」is often followed by verbs or adjectives to describe how an action is performed or how something is. For example, 「こうする」 means "to do it this way."
Understanding 「こう」 helps you grasp directions and explanations that refer to current context.
When used as an adverb, こう directly translates to "like this" or "in this way." It's often paired with verbs to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. For example, if someone is showing you how to do something, they might say, 「こうしてください」 (Kō shite kudasai), meaning "Please do it like this."
It can also refer to a situation or state that is already understood or currently present in the conversation. Imagine you're discussing a problem, and you say, 「こうなると、困りますね」 (Kō naru to, komarimasu ne), which means "If it becomes like this, we'll have trouble." This implies that the current or impending situation is the cause of the difficulty.
Furthermore, こう can introduce an explanation or a statement, often preceding the actual content. You might hear someone say, 「こう言っていました」 (Kō itte imashita), meaning "They said this," followed by what was actually said. It's a versatile adverb for pointing to specific actions, states, or communicated information that is either immediately observable or implicitly understood in context.
こう en 30 secondes
- adverb
- demonstrative
- manner
How Formal Is It?
"斯くあるべし。 (It should be like this.)"
"こうする方がいい。 (It's better to do it this way.)"
"こうやったら？ (How about doing it like this?)"
"こうしてね。 (Do it like this, okay?)"
Le savais-tu ?
This word is part of a set of demonstrative adverbs (こ-, そ-, あ-, ど-) that indicate proximity to the speaker or listener. 'こう' refers to something close to the speaker, similar to 'これ' (this).
Guide de prononciation
- lengthening the vowel sound too much
Niveau de difficulté
short
short
short
short
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
「こう」is used to refer to something directly observed by the speaker or listener, or something that is understood from the context.
こうですか。 (Is it like this?)
It can be used to describe an action or a state, often in response to a question or to clarify something.
こうしてください。 (Please do it like this.)
「こう」can precede verbs, adjectives, and nouns when used with particles like 「に」.
こうすればいいです。 (If you do it like this, it'll be good.)
It is often used in combination with other words to form expressions, such as 「こうして」 (doing it this way, thus) or 「こう思う」 (to think this way).
こうして、私たちは友達になりました。 (In this way, we became friends.)
When asking for confirmation or instruction, 「こう」is used to refer to the method or manner being demonstrated or discussed.
これはこうやるんです。 (You do this like so.)
Exemples par niveau
「こうしてください。」
"Please do it like this."
こうすれば、もっと速くできます。
If you do it this way, you can do it faster.
こういった問題はよく起こります。
Problems like this often occur.
彼はこう言いました。
He said this (like this).
こう考えるのはどうですか？
How about thinking like this?
こうすると、もっと美味しくなります。
If you do it this way, it will become more delicious.
こうなることは分かっていました。
I knew it would turn out like this.
こうすればいいでしょう。
This should be fine (doing it this way).
Comment l'utiliser
When giving instructions or describing how to do something, use こう. It refers to the way something is done, as in 'like this' or 'in this way.' For example, if you're showing someone how to hold chopsticks, you might say 'こう持つんですよ' (Hold it like this).
Don't confuse こう with そう or ああ. While all three mean 'like this/that,' they differ in perspective.
- こう refers to something close to the speaker.
- そう refers to something close to the listener.
- ああ refers to something far from both the speaker and listener.
Astuces
Basic use of こう
こう (kou) means 'like this' or 'in this way'. It refers to something present or directly observable by the speaker and listener. Think of it as pointing to an action or manner.
Demonstrative series
こう is part of the こ・そ・あ・ど (ko-so-a-do) series. こう (this way), そう (that way - near listener), ああ (that way - far from both), どう (which way?). Mastering this series is key.
Sentence placement
こう typically comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 「こう書きます。」(Kou kakimasu.) means 'Write like this.' or 'I'll write it this way.'
Use with instructions
When giving instructions or demonstrations, こう is very common. If you're showing someone how to do something, you'd say 「こうしてください。」(Kou shite kudasai.) meaning 'Please do it like this.'
Referring to previous statements
こう can also refer to something that was just said or implied. For instance, after explaining a process, you might say 「こうすれば、うまくいきます。」(Kou sureba, umaku ikimasu.) meaning 'If you do it this way, it will go well.'
Context is important
Since こう refers to 'this way,' the context or accompanying gesture is often crucial for understanding what 'this way' means. Don't forget to use your hands!
Don't confuse with この
こう (an adverb) is different from この (kono), which is a demonstrative adjective meaning 'this' and modifies a noun (e.g., この本 - kono hon - this book). こう modifies verbs or adjectives.
Practice with gestures
The best way to learn こう is to practice using it with physical gestures. As you say 「こう」, demonstrate the action or manner you're referring to. This builds a strong association.
Listen for native use
Pay close attention to how native speakers use こう in conversations and media. You'll notice it's often used when they are explaining, showing, or summarizing something immediately present.
More nuanced uses
While 'like this' is the core meaning, こう can sometimes imply a certain feeling or condition. For example, 「こう寒いと...」 (Kou samui to...) could mean 'When it's this cold...' (implying a specific, observable coldness).
Origine du mot
Old Japanese
Sens originel : thus, so
JaponicContexte culturel
When a Japanese person says <span lang="ja">こう</span>, they might also be gesturing to show you 'how' to do something, or indicating 'this way' by pointing. It's often used when demonstrating an action or referring to something that was just mentioned.
Teste-toi 66 questions
Choose the best English translation for: こう
こう (kou) refers to something 'like this' or 'in this way,' usually referring to something close to the speaker or an action the speaker is performing.
Which Japanese word means 'like this' or 'in this way'?
こう (kou) is used to describe something 'like this' or 'in this way'.
How would you tell someone to do something 'like this' when showing them?
こう (kou) is used when you are demonstrating or referring to something close to you, so 'こうしてください' means 'Please do it like this.'
こう (kou) is used to describe something far away from both the speaker and the listener.
こう (kou) refers to something close to the speaker or an action the speaker is performing. For something far away from both, you would use ああ (aa).
You can use こう (kou) when showing someone how to tie a shoelace.
Yes, because you are demonstrating an action close to yourself, こう (kou) is the correct word to use.
The word こう (kou) is a verb.
こう (kou) is an adverb, not a verb. It modifies verbs or adjectives.
How would you tell someone to do something 'like this' in Japanese?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こうしてください。
You want to say 'It is like this' or 'It's this way.' How do you express this using 'こう'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こうです。
Imagine you are showing someone how to hold a pen. You want to say 'Hold it like this.' Write this in Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こう持ちます。
What is B trying to do?
Read this passage:
A: これはなんですか。 B: こうです。
What is B trying to do?
B is responding to A's question by showing or explaining 'like this' or 'in this way.'
B is responding to A's question by showing or explaining 'like this' or 'in this way.'
What is the teacher asking the student to do?
Read this passage:
せんせい: こう読んでください。がくせい: はい。
What is the teacher asking the student to do?
こう読んでください (kou yonde kudasai) means 'Please read it like this.'
こう読んでください (kou yonde kudasai) means 'Please read it like this.'
What does the sentence tell you?
Read this passage:
これはこう食べます。
What does the sentence tell you?
食べます (tabemasu) means 'to eat,' and こう (kou) indicates 'like this' or 'in this way,' so the sentence means 'You eat this like this.'
食べます (tabemasu) means 'to eat,' and こう (kou) indicates 'like this' or 'in this way,' so the sentence means 'You eat this like this.'
The particles は and です follow their respective nouns and adverbs. The sentence means 'This is like this.'
The particle は follows the subject. The verb する (to do) comes at the end. The sentence means 'I do it this way.'
The particle を marks the object. The adverb こう comes before the verb. して is the te-form of する, used for requests. The sentence means 'Do that like this.'
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 彼はいつも ___ します。
「こう」 means 'like this' or 'in this way'. The sentence means 'He always does it like this.'
Which sentence correctly uses 「こう」?
「こう」 describes the manner of an action. 'Please eat like this.' is a correct usage. The other options use 「こう」 incorrectly with nouns or adjectives directly without a verb.
「こう してください」 means:
「こう」 means 'like this' or 'in this way', so 「こう してください」 means 'Please do it this way.'
The sentence 「こう、速い車です」 is a natural use of 「こう」.
「こう」 describes how an action is done. While it can emphasize degree in some contexts, directly modifying an adjective like 'fast' in this way is not natural. You would typically say 「こんなに速い車です」 ('It's such a fast car').
「こう 書きます」 means 'Write it like this.'
「こう」 means 'like this' or 'in this way', and 「書きます」 means 'write'. So, 「こう 書きます」 correctly translates to 'Write it like this.'
You can use 「こう」 to directly describe a person, like 「こう、彼です」 ('This is him like this').
「こう」 describes the manner of an action. To introduce someone, you would use 「こちらは彼です」 ('This is him').
You are explaining to a friend how to hold chopsticks correctly. Write a sentence using 「こう」 to describe the action.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こうやって箸を持ちます。
Imagine you are showing someone a photo on your phone. Write a simple sentence telling them to look 'like this' at the picture.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こう見てください。
You are giving instructions on how to fold a piece of paper. Write a short sentence using 「こう」 to indicate 'fold it this way'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
こう折ります。
What is B showing A?
Read this passage:
A: この本、どうやって読むんですか？ B: こう読むんですよ。
What is B showing A?
B uses 「こう」 to demonstrate 'how' to read the book.
B uses 「こう」 to demonstrate 'how' to read the book.
What is the store clerk demonstrating?
Read this passage:
店員: こちらのシャツは、こう着ると素敵ですよ。 客: なるほど、ありがとうございます。
What is the store clerk demonstrating?
The clerk uses 「こう」 to show 'how' to wear the shirt to look good.
The clerk uses 「こう」 to show 'how' to wear the shirt to look good.
What did the teacher ask the student to do?
Read this passage:
先生: この問題をこう解いてください。 生徒: はい、分かりました。
What did the teacher ask the student to do?
The teacher uses 「こう」 to instruct the student to solve the problem 'in this way'.
The teacher uses 「こう」 to instruct the student to solve the problem 'in this way'.
Choose the sentence where 「こう」is used correctly to mean 'like this' or 'in this way'.
「こう」often precedes verbs that describe an action, manner, or state. In this context, '彼はこう言いました。' means 'He said it like this/in this way,' implying a specific manner of speaking. The other options are grammatically possible but less natural for describing general actions with 「こう」in a simple context without more information.
Which sentence correctly uses 「こう」to refer to something previously mentioned or demonstrated?
「こうする」is a common phrase meaning 'to do it like this' or 'to do it in this way,' referring to an action that has just been shown or described. The other options use 「こう」with specific verbs, but 'こうする' is a very general and frequently used construction to indicate a manner of action.
Select the most appropriate response using 「こう」when someone asks how to do something.
「こうしてください」means 'Please do it like this,' which is a direct and common way to instruct someone by demonstrating or explaining the method. It's a general instruction that fits many situations.
「こう」can be used to mean 'in this way' when referring to a demonstrated method.
Yes, 「こう」is frequently used to refer to a manner or method that is being demonstrated or has just been described. For example, 'こうやる' (do it like this).
In the sentence 「こう考えます」, 「こう」means 'in this way' or 'like this'.
Yes, 「こう考えます」means 'I think like this' or 'I think in this way,' indicating a specific manner of thinking or a particular opinion.
You can use 「こう」to refer to something far away from the speaker.
No, 「こう」refers to something close to or related to the speaker, or something that is currently being demonstrated or discussed. For things far away, you would use 「ああ」 (like that, over there) or 「そう」 (like that, referring to what the listener said).
The correct order forms the sentence: 'Please do it like this using this tool.'
The correct order forms the sentence: 'He told me this.' or 'He spoke to me like this.'
The correct order forms the sentence: 'If you do it this way, it will get even better.'
複雑な問題なので、___ 簡単には解決できないでしょう。
「こう」は「このように」という意味で、提示された状況や方法を指します。ここでは「このような簡単な方法では」という意味になります。
彼の説明は回りくどくて、結局何を言いたいのか、___ もわからない。
「こうもわからない」で、「このように全く理解できない」という強調の意味合いで使われます。
まさか、___ も簡単に諦めるなんて思わなかったよ。
「こうも簡単に」で、「このように簡単に」と、予想外の状況に対する驚きを表します。
未来は予測不可能で、___ なるかなんて誰にもわかりません。
「こうなるか」で、「このように（どんな風に）なるか」という意味で使われます。漠然とした未来の展開を指します。
この状況で___ したらいいのか、途方に暮れています。
「こうしたらいいのか」で、「どのように（この状況に対して）行動すれば良いのか」という困惑を表します。
彼女の助言がなければ、___ うまくはいかなかっただろう。
「こううまくはいかなかった」で、「このようにうまくはいかなかっただろう」と、現在の成功は特定の要因があったからだと示唆します。
The speaker is talking about discerning reliable information from a lot of information.
The speaker is referring to how 'she' achieved her long-cherished dreams.
The speaker is discussing the need for multiple perspectives to solve a complex problem.
Read this aloud:
このように、このプロジェクトは多くの困難を乗り越えてきました。
Focus: このように (kono you ni)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼はこう言って、会議の雰囲気を和ませた。
Focus: こう言って (kou itte)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
このようにして、私たちは互いの理解を深めていったのです。
Focus: このようにして (kono you ni shite)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence translates to 'He said this.' '彼' (kare) means 'he', 'は' (wa) is a topic particle, 'こう' (kou) means 'like this/this way', and '言った' (itta) is the past tense of 'to say'.
This sentence means 'I think this way.' '私' (watashi) is 'I', 'は' (wa) is the topic particle, 'こう' (kou) means 'like this/this way', and '思います' (omoimasu) means 'to think'.
This sentence means 'Please do this like this.' 'これ' (kore) means 'this', 'を' (o) is the direct object particle, 'こう' (kou) means 'like this/this way', and 'してください' (shite kudasai) means 'please do'.
この複雑な問題に対する彼の解決策は、___も考えつかないような斬新なものだった。
文脈から、「誰も考えつかないような」という表現が適切です。この「こう」は、その後の「も」と組み合わさることで「誰も〜ない」という否定の意味を強調します。
彼のスピーチは、聴衆の心に深く響く___、感動的なものだった。
「こう」は「このように」「このような方法で」といった意味合いで、ここではスピーチが聴衆に響く様を具体的に指し示しています。
困難な状況に直面しても、彼女は___して乗り越えてきた。
「こうして」は「このようにして」という意味で、具体的な方法や経過を示唆します。困難を乗り越える方法や姿勢を表すのに適しています。
この理論は、一見すると矛盾しているように見えるが、___考えてみると納得がいく。
「こう考えてみると」は「このように考えてみると」という再検討や異なる視点からの考察を促す表現です。論理的なつながりを示します。
彼は、___も予想できなかったような大胆な戦略を提案した。
一つ目の穴埋め問題と同様に、「誰も予想できなかったような」という否定の強調が文脈に合致します。
現代社会における個人の自由のあり方について、___あるべきか、深く考察する必要がある。
「どうあるべきか」は「どのようにあるべきか」という意味で、あるべき姿や方法を問う疑問形です。文脈に合致します。
/ 66 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
こう (kou) is a versatile adverb used to describe actions or states as 'like this' or 'in this way,' often referring to something implicitly understood.
- adverb
- demonstrative
- manner
Basic use of こう
こう (kou) means 'like this' or 'in this way'. It refers to something present or directly observable by the speaker and listener. Think of it as pointing to an action or manner.
Demonstrative series
こう is part of the こ・そ・あ・ど (ko-so-a-do) series. こう (this way), そう (that way - near listener), ああ (that way - far from both), どう (which way?). Mastering this series is key.
Sentence placement
こう typically comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 「こう書きます。」(Kou kakimasu.) means 'Write like this.' or 'I'll write it this way.'
Use with instructions
When giving instructions or demonstrations, こう is very common. If you're showing someone how to do something, you'd say 「こうしてください。」(Kou shite kudasai.) meaning 'Please do it like this.'
Exemple
こうやって使います。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur 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.
