Meaning

Primary

That

Alternative

Those

Word Type

adjective, こそあど word

Explanation

Remember how それ means "that one"? その has a very similar meaning: that. It's used before a noun that's either close to the person you're talking to, or fairly close to both of you. For example, その本 is "that book", and the book in question might be in the hand of the person you're talking to, or it might be on a shelf not far from you both.

Pronunciation

その
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • その日

    that day

    そのとき

    at that time, at that moment

    そのため

    for that reason

    その人

    that person

Context Sentences

その人、有名人だよ。

That person is famous.

その日は、いそがしいんだ。

I'm busy that day.

そのとき、ドーンと大きな音がした。

At that moment, there was a loud boom.