Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 4/20

そんなSuch a・Kind of, Something like ~

Structure

そんな + Noun
こんな + Noun
あんな + Noun
どんな + Noun

Details

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About そんな・こんな・あんな・どんな

One of the most common ways to convey that something is 'like' something else in casual conversation, is through the use of そんな, こんな, あんな, or どんな (when asking a question). These are not officially words themselves, but are abbreviations that come from そのような, このような, あのような, and どのような.

To use this casual expression, simply say it directly before the noun that you are describing, or enquiring about.

Because these abbreviations originally come from a longer (more formal) variation, that form may also be used in situations where you would like to sound a little bit more polite.

Examples

--:--

    どんな(くるま)いい

    What kind of car is good?

    そんな技術(ぎじゅつ)(めずら)しい。

    A skill such as that is rare. (close to listener)

    こんな(たか)いの必要(ひつよう)です

    Is such an expensive one necessary? (close to speaker)

    こんな(たたみ)大体(だいたい)()やすい

    Tatami mats like these are generally easy to sleep on. (close to speaker)

    あんな駐車場(ちゅうしゃじょう)使(つか)にくい

    A parking lot like that (over there) is hard to use. (far from both speaker and listener)

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そんな・こんな・あんな・どんな – Grammar Discussion