Rocket Japanese Community

I've found a explanation for in on the web but as English is not my native language I find it hard to understand. Is there a way you can explain it to me in a simple manner? Arigato.

Konnichiwa Ashwinr-san,

Here's an explanation of Kore/Sore/Are/Dore:

Japanese has a number of pronouns - these are words that stand in for nouns, such as 'book'.

KORE - suggests closeness to the speaker. KORE corresponds to the English words "this" or "these" - referring to an item or items close at hand. For example, you are holding a book that's heavy - so you'll say "Kore wa omoi!" This is heavy!,

SORE - suggests distance from the speaker and closeness to the listener. SORE corresponds to the English words "that" or "those". For example, a shop keeper could point to something over the counter, close to the customer, saying "Sore o kaimasu ka?" Are you going to by that?

ARE - suggests distance from both the speaker and listener. ARE will often translate to "that" or "those" but it's full meanings is "that over there / those over there - away from BOTH of us."

DORE - is a question word and corresponds to "Which?" or "Which one(s)?". DORE is usually used when there are 3 or more options from which to choose from.
For example, you're in a bar, and the bar attendant has 5 drinks on the counter. Referring to them, he says "Dore o nomimasu ka?" Which one will you drink?

The Kore/Sore/Are/Dore words are stand-alone pronouns, that is, they can be used on it's one.

Here's an explanation of Kono/Sono/Ano/Dono:

The Kono/Sono/Ano/Dono cannot be used on its own, this group can only occur together with a noun.

So, here are the meanings:
KONO - "this ~; these ~" (i.e. Kono ie wa chiisai desu - This house is small.)

SONO - "that ~; those ~" (i.e. Sono hana wa kirei desu - That flower is beautiful.)

ANO - "that ~ over there; those ~ over there" (i.e. Ano inu wa kawaii desu - That dog over there is cute.)

DONO - "which ~" (i.e. Dono hito ga suki desu ka? - Which person do you like?)

-Sayaka

It took a few minute to understand, but it's clear now.

Arigato Gozaimasu.

Ashwinr-san,

Dou itashimashite!
You're very welcome!

- Sayaka