5 key grammar patterns
#1L3_G1
1. Here / There / Over there is N (place)
Sentence Pattern
ここ / そこ / あそこ は N (địa điểm) です
This place / that place / that place over there is N. Used to introduce or point out a location. For politeness, you can use こちら, そちら, and あちら instead.
Example Sentences (1)
ここは 受付です。
→ This is the reception desk.
#2L3_G2
2. Where is N?
Sentence Pattern
N は どこ / どちら ですか
Where is N? Both どこ and どちら mean 'where', but どちら is more polite. N can be an object, a person, or a place.
Example Sentences (3)
トイレは どこ / どちら ですか。
→ Where is the restroom?
ミラーさんは どこ / どちら ですか。
→ Where is Mr. Miller?
ここは どこ / どちら ですか。
→ Where is this place?
#3L3_G3
3. N1 is in N2 (Place)
Sentence Pattern
N1 は N2 (địa điểm) です
N1 is located at N2 (place). Shows where someone or something is. N1 can be an object, a person, or a place pronoun.
Example Sentences (3)
トイレは あちらです。
→ The restroom is over there.
ミラーさんは 事務所です。
→ Mr. Miller is in the office.
ここは 教室です。
→ This is the classroom.
#4L3_G4
4. N1's N2 (Origin)
Sentence Pattern
N1 の N2
N2 made in/by N1. N1 is a country or company name, and N2 is a product. Indicates the origin of a product. To ask where something is made, use [どこの] + product.
Example Sentences (3)
IMCの コンピューターです。
→ It is an IMC computer.
これは どこの ワインですか？
→ Where is this wine from?
イタリアの ワインです。
→ It is Italian wine.
#5L3_G5
5. What country are you from?
Sentence Pattern
お国 は どちらですか
Meaning: Politely asks which country someone is from.
✓ どちら is more polite than どこ in this expression.
✓ お
Example Sentences (2)
お国は どちらですか？
→ What country are you from?
ベトナムです。
→ I am from Vietnam.
