こそあど III: “Here” & “There”:
ここ, そこ, & あそこ
This lesson focuses on the こそあど series of words that refer to location as well as situations. How they are distinguished from each other is exactly parallel to how the こそあど work for “this” and “that.”
Here: ここ
The basic word for “here” in Japanese is ここ. This word refers to either a location or situation that is “here,” or in other words, in immediate proximity/association with the speaker (and listener(s)).
1. ここは教室です。
Here is a/the classroom.
2. ここは蒲田です。
This is Kamata.
Sentence Note: Sometimes in English, “this” is used instead of “here” for the same purpose. However, in Japanese, ここ remains the word of choice.
3. ここのラーメンは味がうまいです。
The ramen here has a delicious taste.
Grammar Note: To use a location こそあど adjectivally, just add the particle の after.
4. 五反田駅はここら辺でしたよね。
Gotanda Station was around here, wasn’t it?
Particle Note: The particles よ and ね are used together at the end of the sentence to express direct seeking of confirmation from the listener.
Tense Note: The use of the past tense here is not literal. Instead, it is used in part to seek confirmation, just as is the case in the English translation.
Suffix Note: The suffix ～ら辺 may be added to any of the こそあど phrases mentioned in this lesson to add the nuance “about.”
There: そこ
そこ is “there” as in a location in close proximity to the listener (Ex. 5) but not the speaker.
5. そこは階段です。
That there is the staircase.
6. そこら辺に置いてください。
Please place it around there.
7. そこのお姉さん、あの、財布を落としましたよ。
Miss, um, you dropped your wallet.
In English, no word indicating the physical proximity of the lady is needed, but in Japanese, it aids in grabbing the lady’s attention. This sentence also demonstrates how the word あの may be used as an interjection meaning “um.”
When そこ refers to a location that is away from both the speaker and listener that happens to be brought up in conversation, then the place indicated by そこ is one that just one party is fully aware of (Ex. 6). Think of it as a place that has been mapped in both parties’ minds but not necessarily explored.
8. そこはどこですか。
Where is that (place)?
そこ may also be a situation that both listener and speaker are aware of, but the degree to which they are involved will likely not be equal (Ex. 7).
9. そこが難しいところですね。
Yeah, that’s the difficult part.
In Ex. 9, both Speaker A and Speaker B may both be involved, but one of them feels more heavily involved and the tone indicated by ね implies that that speaker thinks the other one is less emotionally taxed by the situation.
10. そこまで言う必要はない。
There’s no need to go (talk) that far.
そこまで means “to that extent/go that far.” This is a perfect example of how “there” does not necessarily have to literally mean “there” but can also mean “that (part/extent/situation).”
(Over) There: あそこ
In a physical sense1, あそこ refers to a place away from both the speaker and the listener. When said place is being referred to in context, the place must be known fully well by all parties. Think of あそこ as a place that has been mapped and explored.
11. あそこは事務室です。
Over there is the office.
12. 清子さんの鞄はあそこにあります。
Ms. Kiyoko’s bag is over there.
13. あそこの向こうは福岡市ですね。
Beyond there/on the opposite side of there is Fukuoka City, right?
14. あそこのお巡りさんに聞いてください。
Please ask that police officer over there.
Phrase Note: The basic word for police officer is 警（察）官, but the polite term of address for a police officer is お巡りさん.
15. 彼女もあそこら辺に住んでいます。
She too lives around there.
16. 「銀行はどこですか。」「あそこです。」
“Where is the bank?” “It’s over there.”
17. あそこに動物園があります。
There is a zoo over there.
18. 私もあそこに家族がいます。
I too have family there.
Similarly to そこ, あそこ may also refer to a situation that is known by both the speaker and listener, but as for あそこ, the situation is more severe.
19. あそこまで仲が悪いとは思いませんでした。
I didn’t think that their relationship was that bad.
- As a word of caution, especially when used as a subject/object, あそこ may also be used as a euphemism for “private parts.” ↩︎