Japanese splits 'that' in two by distance: near the listener (それ) versus far from both (あれ). The こ・そ・あ・ど series runs through pronouns, adjectives and place words alike.
Also known askore sore arekono sono anoこれ それ あれkosoadodemonstratives
Stand-alone “thing” words: これ = near me, それ = near you, あれ = away from both.
This is a dictionary.
That (near you) is my umbrella.
これ／それ／あれ are pronouns — they replace the noun and cannot be followed directly by another noun. The choice depends on distance: これ near the speaker, それ near the listener, あれ far from both.
In the textbooksMinna I, lesson 2Genki I, lesson 2
Use this set directly before a noun: この本 = “this book”. Never use これ before a noun.
この ほんは わたしのです。
This book is mine.
あの ひとは ミラーさんです。
That person over there is Mr Miller.
この／その／あの always attach to a following noun. Same distance logic as これ／それ／あれ, but these describe the noun instead of replacing it.
In the textbooksMinna I, lesson 2Genki I, lesson 2
Place words: ここ near me, そこ near you, あそこ away from both. Polite: こちら／そちら／あちら.
This place is the office.
The toilet is over there.
ここ／そこ／あそこ follow the same near/mid/far logic as これ／それ／あれ, but point at places. こちら／そちら／あちら are the polite versions (also “this way / direction”).
In the textbooksMinna I, lesson 3Genki I, lesson 2