18 Aug
ใใ / ใใ / ใใใ / ใฉใ | Minna no Nihongo | Lesson 3
### Mastering ใใ / ใใ / ใใใ / ใฉใ in "Minna no Nihongo" | Lesson 3
In Lesson 3 of "Minna no Nihongo," youโll explore another set of essential demonstrative words that indicate locations: ใใ (koko), ใใ (soko), ใใใ (asoko), and ใฉใ (doko). These words help you specify where something is or ask about locations, making them indispensable for everyday conversation. Letโs break down each of these terms and see how they are used.
### 1. **ใใ (Koko)**
**ใใ** means "here" and refers to a location close to the speaker. Use "ใใ" when you want to indicate a place that is near you.
- **Example:**
ย - ใใใฏๅณๆธ้คจใงใใ(Koko wa toshokan desu.)
ย - This is the library.
In this sentence, "ใใ" signifies that the speaker is talking about a place that is near them or where they are currently located.
### 2. **ใใ (Soko)**
**ใใ** means "there" and refers to a location that is near the listener or has been previously mentioned. Use "ใใ" when referring to a place that is not near the speaker but close to the listener or mentioned earlier in the conversation.
- **Example:**
ย - ใใใซๆค
ๅญใใใใพใใ(Soko ni isu ga arimasu.)
ย - There is a chair over there.
Here, "ใใ" points to a location near the listener or somewhere that has been discussed.
### 3. **ใใใ (Asoko)**
**ใใใ** means "over there" and refers to a location that is far from both the speaker and the listener. Use "ใใใ" when talking about a place that is distant from both parties.
- **Example:**
ย - ใใใใซๅ
ฌๅใใใใพใใ(Asoko ni kลen ga arimasu.)
ย - There is a park over there.
In this example, "ใใใ" indicates that the park is far from both the speaker and the listener, possibly in the distance.
### 4. **ใฉใ (Doko)**
**ใฉใ** means "where" and is used to ask about a location. It is the question word for inquiring about the place or position of something.
- **Example:**
ย - ใฉใใซ่กใใพใใ๏ผ(Doko ni ikimasu ka?)
ย - Where are you going?
Here, "ใฉใ" is used to ask for information about the location or destination.
### Usage Summary
To summarize, hereโs a quick guide for using these location words:
- **ใใ**: Use to refer to a location close to the speaker (here).
- **ใใ**: Use to refer to a location close to the listener or previously mentioned (there).
- **ใใใ**: Use to refer to a location far from both the speaker and the listener (over there).
- **ใฉใ**: Use to ask about a location or place (where).
### Practical Examples
1. **In a Room:**
ย ย - **Speaker**: ใใใฏ็งใฎ้จๅฑใงใใ(Koko wa watashi no heya desu.) โ This is my room.
ย ย - **Listener**: ใใใซๆบใใใใพใใ๏ผ(Soko ni tsukue ga arimasu ka?) โ Is there a desk there?
ย ย - **Speaker**: ใใใใซใใใพใใ(Asoko ni arimasu.) โ Itโs over there.
2. **Asking for Directions:**
ย ย - **Traveler**: ใฉใใงใในใซไนใใพใใ๏ผ(Doko de basu ni norimasu ka?) โ Where do I catch the bus?
ย ย - **Local**: ใใใใใพใฃใใ่กใฃใฆใใใใซใใใพใใ(Koko kara massugu itte, soko ni arimasu.) โ Go straight from here, and itโs there.
Understanding these terms will greatly enhance your ability to describe and inquire about locations in Japanese. Practice using "ใใ," "ใใ," "ใใใ," and "ใฉใ" in various contexts to become more comfortable with their application. Happy learning!
