آن کجاست؟
an kojast?
Where is that?
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'آن کجاست؟' to ask for the location of something you can see or refer to at a distance.
- Means: 'Where is that?' (literally: That where is?)
- Used in: Asking for landmarks, distant objects, or places on a map.
- Don't confuse: Use 'این' (in) for things close to you instead of 'آن' (ān).
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
A question to ask for the location of something further away.
Cultural Background
When asking for directions using 'آن کجاست؟', it is polite to start with 'ببخشید' (Bebakhshid - Excuse me). Iranians value politeness (Ta'arof) highly. In the capital, Tehran, the 'ā' sound in 'ān' often shifts to 'u'. This is a hallmark of the modern spoken accent. In Persian, the distinction between 'this' and 'that' is very sharp. Using 'this' for something far away sounds much more 'wrong' than it does in English.
The 'Un' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a native speaker immediately, always say 'Un' instead of 'An' in conversation.
Don't forget the 'st'
English speakers often say 'An koja?' but the 'st' (is) is grammatically required.
Meaning
A question to ask for the location of something further away.
The 'Un' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a native speaker immediately, always say 'Un' instead of 'An' in conversation.
Don't forget the 'st'
English speakers often say 'An koja?' but the 'st' (is) is grammatically required.
Test Yourself
Which word means 'that' in Persian?
... کجاست؟
'آن' (ān) means 'that'. 'این' (in) means 'this'.
Complete the question: 'Where is that book?'
آن کتاب ...؟
'کجاست' (kojāst) is the standard way to ask 'where is'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a beautiful mosque in the distance and want to know where it is.
Use 'آن' for things in the distance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: آن هتل کجاست؟ B: آن ... است.
'آنجا' (ānjā) means 'there', which answers the 'where' question.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
This vs That in Persian
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsIt's better to use 'او کجاست؟' (U kojāst?) for people. Using 'آن' can sound like you are calling them 'that thing'.
'An' means 'that' (the object), while 'Anja' means 'there' (the place).
It is neutral. It is used in both formal writing and everyday speech.
Related Phrases
این کجاست؟
contrastWhere is this?
آنجاست
builds onIt is there.
کجایی؟
similarWhere are you?
Where to Use It
Lost in the city
Traveler: ببخشید، آن بانک کجاست؟
Local: آن طرف، مستقیم برو.
Looking at a photo
Friend A: این عکس زیباست. آن کجاست؟
Friend B: آن در شمال ایران است.
Shopping for something specific
Customer: آن پیراهنِ قرمز کجاست؟
Clerk: آن در طبقه دوم است.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'An' as 'A-not-here' (distant) and 'Kojast' as 'KO-location-is'.
Visual Association
Imagine a long finger pointing at a distant mountain with a giant question mark floating over it.
Rhyme
آن کجاست؟ راه کجاست؟ (Ān kojāst? Rāh kojāst? - Where is that? Where is the way?)
Story
You are a traveler in Isfahan. You see a beautiful turquoise dome far away. You point and ask a local, 'آن کجاست؟'. They smile and lead you to the mosque.
Word Web
Challenge
Go through your room and point at 5 things far from you, saying 'آن [object] کجاست؟' for each.
In Other Languages
¿Dónde está eso?
Spanish changes the verb 'estar' based on location, while Persian uses the simple copula 'ast'.
Où est-ce ?
French uses inversion (est-ce) while Persian uses a fixed SOV-based order.
Wo ist das?
German places the verb in the second position, while Persian places it at the end (as a suffix).
あれはどこですか？ (Are wa doko desu ka?)
Japanese requires the topic marker 'wa' and the question particle 'ka'.
أين ذلك؟ (Ayna dhalika?)
Arabic often omits the 'is' verb in the present tense, whereas Persian requires 'ast'.
Easily Confused
Learners confuse 'kojā' (where) with 'ki' (who).
Remember 'jā' means 'place', so 'ko-jā' is 'which place'.
Adding 'jā' to 'ān' makes it 'There where is?'.
Use 'آن کجاست' for objects, 'آنجا کجاست' for general areas.
FAQ (3)
It's better to use 'او کجاست؟' (U kojāst?) for people. Using 'آن' can sound like you are calling them 'that thing'.
'An' means 'that' (the object), while 'Anja' means 'there' (the place).
It is neutral. It is used in both formal writing and everyday speech.
