8 key grammar patterns
#1L3_G1
Part 1: ここ, そこ, あそこ: Here, There, Over there
Sentence Pattern
ここ / そこ / あそこ
こちら / そちら / あちら
どこ？ / どちら？
ここ: Here, this place.
そこ: There, that place.
あそこ: Over there, that place over there.
→ Interrogative どこ: Where?
こちら: This way, this direction/place (polite).
そちら: That way, that direction/place (polite).
あちら: That way over there, that direction/place over there (polite).
→ Interrogative どちら: Where, which direction/way?
ここ, そこ, あそこ and こちら, そちら, あちら: Used to indicate locations.
こちら, そちら, あちら are the polite equivalents of ここ, そこ, あそこ. Additionally, they can also be used to indicate directions.
そこ: There, that place.
あそこ: Over there, that place over there.
→ Interrogative どこ: Where?
こちら: This way, this direction/place (polite).
そちら: That way, that direction/place (polite).
あちら: That way over there, that direction/place over there (polite).
→ Interrogative どちら: Where, which direction/way?
ここ, そこ, あそこ and こちら, そちら, あちら: Used to indicate locations.
こちら, そちら, あちら are the polite equivalents of ここ, そこ, あそこ. Additionally, they can also be used to indicate directions.
Example Sentences (2)
ここは 会議室です。
→ This place is the meeting room.
あちらは 病院です。
→ That way over there is the hospital.
#2L3_G2
Part 2: Sentence Patterns for Locations
Sentence Pattern
ここは Nです。
Nは ここ / そこ / あそこ です。
This structure is used to introduce or define the location of a person, object, or place.
Example Sentences (2)
ここは 私の うちです。
→ This is my house.
私の うちは ここです。
→ My house is here.
#3L3_G3
Part 3: Questions with Interrogatives for Location
Sentence Pattern
A: ～は どこですか。
B: ～は ここ / そこ / あそこ です。
A: ～は どちらですか。
B: ～は こちら / そちら / あちら です。
どこ: where.
どちら: which direction/where? (More polite).
どちら: which direction/where? (More polite).
Example Sentences (2)
A: 階段は どこですか。
B: そこです。
B: そこです。
→ A: Where are the stairs? B: They are over there.
A: すみません、受付は どちらですか。
B: あちらです。
B: あちらです。
→ A: Excuse me, where is the reception desk? B: It's that way over there.
#4L3_G4
Part 4: Interrogative どちら
Sentence Pattern
A: ～は どちらですか。
B: ～は Nです。
どちら has 3 main meanings:
1. Used to ask about a place (Polite form of どこ).
2. Used to ask about a direction.
3. Used to ask for the name of a country, school, company, etc.
When どちら is used to ask for the name of a country or an organization, the answer is usually a proper noun.
1. Used to ask about a place (Polite form of どこ).
2. Used to ask about a direction.
3. Used to ask for the name of a country, school, company, etc.
When どちら is used to ask for the name of a country or an organization, the answer is usually a proper noun.
Example Sentences (2)
A: お国は どちらですか。
B: 私の 国は ベトナムです。
B: 私の 国は ベトナムです。
→ A: Which country are you from? B: My country is Vietnam.
A: 大学は どちらですか。
B: ふじ大学です。
B: ふじ大学です。
→ A: Which university do you go to? B: It is Fuji University.
#5L3_G5
Part 5: Ko-So-A-Do Demonstrative System
Sentence Pattern
こ / そ / あ / ど
Things: これ (this) / それ (that) / あれ (that over there) / どれ (which - Lesson 16)
Things/People: この N (this N) / その N (that N) / あの N (that N over there) / どの N (which N - Lesson 16)
Places: ここ (here) / そこ (there) / あそこ (over there) / どこ (where)
Directions/Places (polite): こちら (this way/here) / そちら (that way/there) / あちら (that way/over there) / どちら (which way/where)
Things/People: この N (this N) / その N (that N) / あの N (that N over there) / どの N (which N - Lesson 16)
Places: ここ (here) / そこ (there) / あそこ (over there) / どこ (where)
Directions/Places (polite): こちら (this way/here) / そちら (that way/there) / あちら (that way/over there) / どちら (which way/where)
#6L3_G6
Part 6: N2の N1 – Interrogative どこ
Sentence Pattern
A: ～は どこの Nですか。
B: ～は N1の Nです。
どこのN: Used to ask about the origin or maker of something.
N1 is usually a word indicating a place/country/company.
N1 is usually a word indicating a place/country/company.
Example Sentences (2)
A: これは どこの ワインですか。
B: フランスの ワインです。
B: フランスの ワインです。
→ A: Where is this wine from? B: It's French wine.
あれは ドイツの 車です。
→ That over there is a German car.
#7L3_G7
Part 7: Asking and Counting Floors/Buildings
Sentence Pattern
A: ～は 何階 ですか。
B: ～は ～階 です。
The ground floor is counted as the 1st floor.
To count basement floors, put
Ex: 1st basement floor →
Example Sentences (2)
A: 時計売り場は 何階ですか。
B: 3階です。
B: 3階です。
→ A: On which floor is the watch counter? B: It's on the 3rd floor.
A: 本屋は 何階ですか。
B: 地下 2階です。
B: 地下 2階です。
→ A: Which floor is the bookstore on? B: It's on the 2nd basement floor.
#8L3_G8
Part 8: Asking the Price
Sentence Pattern
A: ～は いくらですか。
B: ～は ～円 / ドル / ドンです。
いくら: How much does it cost?
When answering about the price, use numbers followed by the currency unit.
Ex: 80,000 VND : 8万 ドン (hachi-man don).
When answering about the price, use numbers followed by the currency unit.
Ex: 80,000 VND : 8
Example Sentences (2)
A: この 靴は いくらですか。
B: 800円です。
B: 800円です。
→ A: How much are these shoes? B: They are 800 yen.
A: あの 手帳は いくらですか。
B: 5万ドンです。
B: 5万ドンです。
→ A: How much is that notebook? B: It is 50,000 VND.
