Refer to objects based on their position in a conversation.
The rule
これ refers to what is close to the speaker, それ to what is close to the speaker, あれ to what is far from both. In front of a noun, use この・その・あの.
Examples
これはなんですか。
What is this?
そのほんをください。
Give me that book, please.
Remember
- これ is autonomous; この must determine a noun.
- Refer to objects based on their position in a conversation.
Common mistake
Say これほん: このほん or これはほんです is required.