Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 9/13

この

This

Structure

この + (Near The Speaker) Noun

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Fixed Adjective

  • Word Type

    Independent Word

  • Register

    Standard

  • 品詞

    連体詞

  • 単語の種類

    自立語

  • 使用域

    一般

About この

この is classified as a 'pre-noun adjectival' in Japanese. These are a special type of word that do not conjugate. This means that they will always appear in the same form. この comes from the same family of words as これ and ここ, and is used to identify a 'thing' that is near the speaker.
  • このスーツはあなたのですか？
    Is this suit yours?
  • この仕事(しごと)は大変(たいへん)だ。
    This work is difficult.
As the name 'pre-noun adjectival' suggests, these words will always appear before a noun, and describe that noun in some way.

Examples

  • この本(ほん)がいいです。

    This book is good.

  • このケーキは大(おお)きいです。

    This cake is big.

  • この写真(しゃしん)は私(わたし)のです。

    This picture is mine.

    The 私の carries the meaning of 私の写真.

  • この犬(いぬ)は私(わたし)の犬(いぬ)です。

    This dog is my dog.

  • この動物(どうぶつ)は、猫(ねこ)です。

    This animal is a cat.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

  • Offline

    • Genki I

      Page 35

    • Genki I 2nd Edition

      Page 63

    • みんなの日本語 I

      Page 20 [CH 2]

    • みんなの日本語 II

      Page 78 [CH 37]

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

この – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    About 2 years ago

    Your translations are correct. Just like in English, they are different sentences emphasizing different parts.

    What do you have there?
    This is a big cake.
    (“This cake is big” doesn’t make sense here)

    What do you think of that cake?
    This cake is big.
    (“This is a big cake” could work too.)

  • BionicZebra

    BionicZebra

    About 2 years ago

    Interesting. Thanks!

  • MoonlitClaire

    MoonlitClaire

    About 2 years ago

    Thanks for the help everyone, very much appreciated!

Got questions about この? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion