目錄
The Japanese words 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 are all demonstratives used to indicate places. They may look straightforward from a Chinese perspective, but the most confusing pair in actual use is 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」. Both are often translated into Chinese as “那裡,” but Japanese does not simply divide space into near, middle, and far based on distance. Instead, the choice depends on where the speaker, listener, and location are positioned in relation to one another.
A place near the speaker is referred to with 「ここ」. When the speaker and listener are standing apart, a place near the listener is usually referred to with 「そこ」. A place that is relatively far from both is referred to with 「あそこ」, while 「どこ」 is used to ask about an unknown location. If the speaker and listener are standing on the same side, 「そこ」 can also refer to an area that is somewhat farther away from them but not far enough to be considered 「あそこ」. This is why simply memorizing 「ここ＝here, そこ＝there, あそこ＝over there」 often does not tell you which one to use in a real situation.
These words are easier to understand when placed back into the 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 system. First determine whether the location belongs to the speaker’s side, the listener’s side, or a place far from both, and then choose the appropriate word. Once these demonstratives are combined with particles such as 「に／で」, existence verbs, or travel expressions used for asking directions, it also becomes easier to understand the role each place word plays in a sentence.
Why Can’t You Just Memorize 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 as “Here, There, and Where”?
「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 are Japanese demonstratives for places. The Chinese word “那裡” may correspond to either 「そこ」 or 「あそこ」, and the two are not directly interchangeable.
The distinction becomes clearer when viewed through the 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 system. 「こ」 is close to the speaker, 「そ」 is close to the listener, 「あ」 is far from both the speaker and listener, and 「ど」 is used for questions. The equivalent series for objects is 「これ／それ／あれ／どれ」, while nouns are modified with 「この／その／あの／どの＋noun」. You can also refer to Japanese 「この・その・あの・どの」 Usage Guide for a related explanation.
How Do You Tell 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 Apart? Start by Looking at Where Both People Are Standing
「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 are not divided into fixed near, middle, and far distances measured in meters. When both people are on the same side, the near area is 「ここ」, the middle area is 「そこ」, and the far area is 「あそこ」. When they are facing each other, the speaker’s immediate area is 「ここ」, the listener’s immediate area is 「そこ」, and only a place far from both is 「あそこ」.
| Demonstrative | Basic Meaning | How to Decide |
| 「ここ」 | here | Near the speaker |
| 「そこ」 | there | A middle area, or near the listener |
| 「あそこ」 | over there | Relatively far from both speaker and listener |
| 「どこ」 | where | Used to ask about an unknown place |
How to Use 「ここ」｜Referring to the Speaker’s Current Location or Nearby Area
「ここ」 is used for the place where the speaker is currently standing or for a location close enough to be regarded as being on the speaker’s side. For example, someone standing inside a classroom may say “This is the first-year classroom,” while someone beside an entrance may say “This is the entrance.” In both cases, 「ここ」 is used. It does not necessarily refer to only the exact point beneath the speaker’s feet; it can also cover a small area around the speaker. When particles such as 「で」 or 「に」 follow it, the rest of the sentence determines whether the phrase refers to where an action takes place or where a person or object exists.
- Example: ここは1年生の教室です。
Kana: ここはいちねんせいのきょうしつです。
Translation: This is the first-year classroom.
It introduces the place where the speaker currently is. - Example: ここは入口です。
Kana: ここはいりぐちです。
Translation: This is the entrance.
It describes the location directly in front of the speaker. - Example: ここで待ってください。
Kana: ここでまってください。
Translation: Please wait here.
「で」 marks the place where the action of waiting takes place.
How to Use 「そこ」｜Referring to the Listener’s Side or an Area Between Both People
「そこ」 is easily misunderstood as a fixed “middle-distance” word, but its use actually depends on where the speaker and listener are standing. When the two are standing apart, 「そこ」 often refers to a place near the listener. For example, a staff member may tell a traveler “Please sit there” when the seat is on the traveler’s side. If both people are standing together and looking ahead, 「そこ」 can also refer to a place farther away than 「ここ」 but not far enough to be 「あそこ」. So when you encounter 「そこ」, do not first try to convert it into a number of meters. Instead, look at which person the location is closer to.
- Example: そこは図書室です。
Kana: そこはとしょしつです。
Translation: That is the library.
It refers to the area indicated as 「そこ」 within the speaker’s line of sight. - Example: 田中さんのかばんはそこにあります。
Kana: たなかさんのかばんはそこにあります。
Translation: Mr. Tanaka’s bag is there.
The bag is located within the area referred to as 「そこ」. - Example: そこに座ってください。
Kana: そこにすわってください。
Translation: Please sit there.
The seat is on the listener’s side.
How to Use 「あそこ」｜Referring to a Place Far from Both People
「あそこ」 refers to a place that is some distance away from both the speaker and listener. It is typically used when both people are looking toward the same distant location. A shop across the street, the far end of a platform, or a station in the distance are all natural situations for 「あそこ」. The biggest difference from 「そこ」 is that the place is not near the listener but lies farther away from both people. Although Chinese may translate both words as “那裡,” Japanese distinguishes them according to their actual spatial relationship.
- Example: あそこは事務室です。
Kana: あそこはじむしつです。
Translation: That over there is the office.
The office is relatively far from both people. - Example: あそこに先生がいます。
Kana: あそこにせんせいがいます。
Translation: The teacher is over there.
Both people are looking toward the same distant location. - Example: あそこが駅です。
Kana: あそこがえきです。
Translation: That over there is the station.
It points to a station in the distance.
How to Use 「どこ」｜Asking About an Unknown Place
「どこ」 is used to ask about an unknown location and corresponds to “where.” The most basic pattern is 「Nはどこですか」, which can be used directly to ask where a toilet, station, exit, or other place is. With existence verbs, you will also often see forms such as 「どこにありますか／いますか」. 「どこ」 itself simply introduces the question of “which place,” while particles such as 「に」 and 「で」 depend on whether the sentence asks about existence, the place where an action occurs, or another spatial relationship.
- Example: すみません、トイレはどこですか。
Kana: すみません、といれはどこですか。
Translation: Excuse me, where is the restroom?
It directly uses 「Nはどこですか」 to ask for a location. - Example: 先生の車はどこにありますか。
Kana: せんせいのくるまはどこにありますか。
Translation: Where is the teacher’s car?
「に」 is used when asking about where something exists. - Example: 駅はどこですか。
Kana: えきはどこですか。
Translation: Where is the station?
It asks for the station’s location using 「Nはどこですか」.
What Is the Difference Between 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」? The Same “There” Represents Different Positions
「そこ」 and 「あそこ」 are both commonly translated into Chinese as “那裡,” but the distinction depends on the location and the positions of the speaker and listener. When the two are standing apart, 「そこ」 usually refers to a place near the listener. If both are standing on the same side, it may also refer to an area somewhat farther away from them. 「あそこ」, on the other hand, refers to a place relatively far from both people, with both typically looking toward the same distant location.
| Comparison | 「そこ」 | 「あそこ」 |
| Common Chinese translation | 那裡 | 那裡／那邊 |
| When the two people are apart | Near the listener | Far from both speaker and listener |
| When both stand on the same side | An area between near and far | A location farther away than 「そこ」 |
| Direction of gaze | Often points toward the listener’s side | Both look toward the same distant place |
| Common situations | Near the listener’s feet, seat, or hands | Across the street, the other end of a platform, a distant building |
| How to decide | Check whether the place is on the listener’s side | Check whether the place is some distance from both people |
▌「そこ」 vs 「あそこ」｜The Listener’s Side vs Far from Both People
Both 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」 may be translated as “there” in Chinese, but the real distinction is not the translation; it is where the place is located. When the speaker and listener are standing apart, 「そこ」 generally refers to a place near the listener. 「あそこ」 refers to a place farther away from both people, so both need to look in the same distant direction. Imagine a staff member and traveler looking for an exit in a station. If the exit is right beside the traveler, the staff member may say 「そこ」. If it is at the far end of the lobby, the staff member would say 「あそこ」.
- Example: 出口はそこです。
Kana: でぐちはそこです。
Translation: The exit is there.
The staff member and traveler are standing apart, and the exit is on the traveler’s side, so 「そこ」 is used. - Example: 出口はあそこです。
Kana: でぐちはあそこです。
Translation: The exit is over there.
The exit is some distance from both the staff member and traveler, so both need to look farther away, which is why 「あそこ」 is used. - Example: そこではなくて、あそこです。
Kana: そこではなくて、あそこです。
Translation: Not there—it’s over there.
「そこ」 first refers to a location closer to the listener, while 「あそこ」 shifts the listener’s attention to a place farther away from both people. The difference in position can be seen within a single sentence.
▌If You Ask “Where Is the Exit?”, What Changes Between 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」?
When asking for an exit in a station, both 「そこです」 and 「あそこです」 may be translated into Chinese as “it’s there,” but the physical scene is different. 「そこです」 means the exit is near the person asking, such as directly behind or beside the traveler. 「あそこです」 means the exit is some distance from both the staff member and traveler, so they need to look forward or farther away. What changes is not the Chinese meaning, but the relationship between the exit and the two people.
- Example: 出口はそこです。
Kana: でぐちはそこです。
Translation: The exit is there.
When a staff member says this to a traveler, 「そこ」 means the exit is near the traveler’s side, for example behind or beside them. - Example: 出口はあそこです。
Kana: でぐちはあそこです。
Translation: The exit is over there.
The exit is some distance from both the staff member and traveler, so both need to look farther away, which is why 「あそこ」 is used. - Example: そこではなくて、あそこです。
Kana: そこではなくて、あそこです。
Translation: Not there—it’s over there.
The first 「そこ」 refers to a place closer to the listener or a nearer area, while the later 「あそこ」 moves attention toward a farther location. The distance contrast is visible within a single sentence.
What Is the Difference Between 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 and 「これ・それ・あれ・どれ」?
「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 refer to places, while 「これ・それ・あれ・どれ」 refer to objects. Both belong to the 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 system, so their spatial relationships are very similar. The difference is whether the speaker is indicating “which place” or “which object.” For example, 「ここは受付です」 means that this place is the reception desk, while 「これは申込書です」 identifies the object being held or shown as an application form.
| 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 | Place | Object | Spatial Relationship |
| こ | 「ここ」 here | 「これ」 this | Near the speaker |
| そ | 「そこ」 there | 「それ」 that | Near the listener when both are apart; may refer to a middle area when both are on the same side |
| あ | 「あそこ」 over there | 「あれ」 that over there | Far from both speaker and listener |
| ど | 「どこ」 where | 「どれ」 which one | Used when the place or object is unknown |
▌「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 vs 「これ・それ・あれ・どれ」｜Places vs Objects
Both groups belong to the 「こ・そ・あ・ど」 system, and their spatial relationships are broadly the same. The difference is whether the word refers to a place or an object. 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 treat an area as a “place,” while 「これ・それ・あれ・どれ」 identify a specific object. At an airport counter, for example, 「ここ」 can refer to the duty-free counter where the speaker is standing, while 「これ」 can refer to a duty-free application form lying on the counter. Both may be near the speaker, but they point to different types of things.
- Example: ここは免税カウンターです。
Kana: ここはめんぜいかうんたーです。
Translation: This is the duty-free counter.
「ここ」 refers to the current area, and the sentence identifies “this place” as the duty-free counter. - Example: これは免税の申請書です。
Kana: これはめんぜいのしんせいしょです。
Translation: This is the duty-free application form.
「これ」 refers to the application form in front of the speaker, and the sentence identifies what “this object” is. - Example: パスポートはどこですか。／パスポートはどれですか。
Kana: ぱすぽーとはどこですか。／ぱすぽーとはどれですか。
Translation: Where is the passport?
/ Which one is the passport?
「どこ」 asks where the passport is located. 「どれ」 assumes there are several objects in front of the speaker and asks which one is the passport.
▌At the Same Counter, 「ここ」 and 「これ」 Differ in Whether They Point to a Place or an Object
Standing at the same counter, you may hear both 「ここ」 and 「これ」. The physical distance has not changed; what changes is the type of thing being indicated. 「ここ」 treats the area in front of the speaker as a place, while 「これ」 selects one specific object from within that area. The same distinction applies to question words. 「どこ」 asks where a person or object is located, while 「どれ」 asks which object among several is the relevant one.
- Example: ここは免税カウンターです。
Kana: ここはめんぜいかうんたーです。
Translation: This is the duty-free counter.
「ここ」 refers to the current counter area, so the focus is on “this place.” - Example: これは免税の申請書です。
Kana: これはめんぜいのしんせいしょです。
Translation: This is the duty-free application form.
「これ」 refers to the application form being held or placed in front of the speaker, so the focus shifts to “this object.” It cannot be replaced by the place word 「ここ」. - Example: パスポートはどこですか。／パスポートはどれですか。
Kana: ぱすぽーとはどこですか。／ぱすぽーとはどれですか。
Translation: Where is the passport?
/ Which one is the passport? 「どこ」 is asking for the passport’s location, while 「どれ」 assumes there are several objects visible and asks which one is the passport. Both may involve “which/where” in Chinese, but they ask different questions in Japanese.
「どこに」 vs 「どこで」: Use 「に」 for Existence and 「で」 for the Place of an Action
Both 「どこに」 and 「どこで」 ask about locations, but the verbs that follow them differ. 「に」 marks where a person or object exists and therefore commonly appears with 「あります／います」. 「で」 marks the place where an action takes place and is followed by verbs such as 「食べます、勉強します、買います、待ちます」. If you are unsure which particle should follow 「どこ」, first ask whether the sentence is asking “where someone or something is” or “where an action is performed.”
| Comparison | 「どこに」 | 「どこで」 |
| Main meaning | Where something/someone is | Where something is done |
| Role of 「に／で」 | Marks a place of existence | Marks the place of an action |
| Common verbs | あります、います | 食べます、買います、勉強します、待ちます, etc. |
| Focus of the question | Where the person or object itself is | Where an action takes place |
| Example | 先生はどこにいますか。 | 先生はどこで授業をしていますか。 |
| Chinese interpretation | Where is the teacher? | Where is the teacher teaching? |
▌「どこに」 vs 「どこで」｜Place of Existence vs Place of Action
Both 「どこに」 and 「どこで」 can be translated as “where,” but they focus on different things. When 「どこに」 is used with 「います／あります」, it asks where a person or object itself is located. 「どこで」 asks where an action is being performed. Suppose you are looking for a teacher at school. 「先生はどこにいますか」 simply asks where the teacher currently is. 「先生はどこで授業をしていますか」 assumes the teacher is teaching and asks where the class is taking place.
- Example: 先生はどこにいますか。
Kana: せんせいはどこにいますか。
Translation: Where is the teacher?
This sentence asks only about the teacher’s current location, so 「に」 is used after 「どこ」 to mark existence. - Example: 先生はどこで授業をしていますか。
Kana: せんせいはどこでじゅぎょうをしていますか。
Translation: Where is the teacher teaching?
The speaker already knows the teacher is teaching and wants to know where the action 「授業をする」 is taking place, so 「で」 is used. - Example: 田中さんは図書館にいます。図書館で勉強しています。
Kana: たなかさんはとしょかんにいます。としょかんでべんきょうしています。
Translation: Mr. Tanaka is in the library.
He is studying in the library.
The location is 「図書館」 in both sentences. The first sentence describes where Mr. Tanaka is, so it uses 「に」. The second describes where the action 「勉強する」 takes place, so it uses 「で」.
▌Even When Looking for the Same Teacher, 「どこに」 Asks Where the Person Is, While 「どこで」 Asks Where an Action Takes Place
Suppose you are looking for a teacher at school. Both 「先生はどこにいますか」 and 「先生はどこで授業をしていますか」 could receive an answer such as “the third-floor classroom,” but they ask different things. 「どこにいますか」 asks only where the teacher currently is. 「どこで授業をしていますか」 assumes that the teacher is teaching and asks where the act of teaching is taking place.
- Example: 先生はどこにいますか。
Kana: せんせいはどこにいますか。
Translation: Where is the teacher?
This asks only about the teacher’s current location, so 「に」 is used with the existence verb 「います」. - Example: 先生はどこで授業をしていますか。
Kana: せんせいはどこでじゅぎょうをしていますか。
Translation: Where is the teacher teaching?
The speaker already knows the teacher is performing 「授業をする」 and is asking where that action is taking place, so 「で」 is used. - Example: 田中さんは図書館にいます。図書館で勉強しています。
Kana: たなかさんはとしょかんにいます。としょかんでべんきょうしています。
Translation: Mr. Tanaka is in the library.
He is studying in the library. The same location, 「図書館」, is treated first as the place where Mr. Tanaka exists, so 「に」 is used, and then as the place where 「勉強する」 occurs, so 「で」 is used.
Practical Japanese for Travel: How to Use 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 When Asking Directions and Finding Places
When traveling in Japan, 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 commonly appear when looking for facilities, asking directions, or listening to staff point out locations. At a station, you may use 「どこ」 to ask where the restroom is, and if the staff member points into the distance, they may answer with 「あそこ」. If the indicated place is beside the traveler, the staff member may use 「そこ」. To refer to the place where you are currently standing, use 「ここ」. In Chinese, both 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」 are easily translated as “那裡,” but in actual use, the important factor is the spatial relationship among the speaker, listener, and location. When you encounter these words while traveling, pay attention not only to the sentence but also to where the other person is standing and where they are pointing. For more expressions, you can also refer to Useful Japanese for Asking Directions in Japan.
▌Situation ①｜Asking Where the Restroom Is at a Station
A：すみません、トイレはどこですか。
すみません、トイレは どこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
B：あそこです。エスカレーターの隣です。
あそこです。エスカレーターの となりです。
It’s over there, next to the escalator.
📌 Grammar Point: 「どこ」 is used to ask about an unknown location, while the answer depends on where the restroom is. In this situation, both the station staff member and traveler need to look farther away, so 「あそこ」 is used. If the restroom were right beside the traveler, the staff member could instead say 「そこです」. The Chinese translation may still be “在那裡,” but the Japanese word changes according to the actual location.
▌Situation ②｜Asking Where to Put Luggage at a Hotel
A：この荷物はどこに置けばいいですか。
この にもつは どこに おけば いいですか。
Where should I put this luggage?
B：そこに置いてください。
そこに おいてください。
Please put it there.
📌 Grammar Point: The staff member’s 「そこ」 refers to a place on the traveler’s side, such as a luggage rack beside the traveler or an open space near their feet. When the speaker and listener are standing apart, 「そこ」 generally refers to somewhere near the listener, so it should not simply be memorized as “a place a short distance away from the speaker.” This sentence also uses 「そこに」 because 「置く」 describes placing an object in a particular location, and 「に」 marks the location where the luggage is to be placed.
▌Situation ③｜Confirming Where to Wait at a Bus Stop
A：空港行きのバスはどこから出ますか。
くうこういきの バスは どこから でますか。
Where does the airport bus depart from?
B：ここから出ます。ここでお待ちください。
ここから でます。ここで おまちください。
It departs from here. Please wait here.
📌 Grammar Point: 「ここ」 refers to the speaker’s current location or somewhere nearby. Because the staff member is standing at the bus departure point, they can say 「ここから出ます」. The later phrase 「ここでお待ちください」 refers to the same place, but the particle changes to 「で」 because the sentence now describes the action of waiting taking place there. 「ここ」 itself does not change; the particle changes according to the verb.
Cultural Notes:
- 「トイレはどこですか」 is already a natural way to ask for the restroom, and there is no need to automatically replace it with a longer or more polite expression simply because you are traveling in Japan. In hotels, department stores, and service counters, you may also hear 「こちら／そちら／あちら／どちら」. Among these, 「こちら／そちら／あちら」 can function as more polite versions of 「ここ／そこ／あそこ」.
- 「そこ」 does not represent one fixed “middle distance.” When the speaker and listener are standing in different positions, 「そこ」 usually refers to a location near the listener. Only when both are standing on the same side and looking forward does 「そこ」 resemble the middle area between 「ここ」 and 「あそこ」 commonly shown in textbooks. Hotels, ticket counters, and store registers often involve people speaking across a counter, so this is a common situation in which 「そこ」 refers to the traveler’s side.
- 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 only identify locations. In complete sentences, they are combined with different particles. In 「そこに置いてください」, 「に」 marks where something is to be placed. In 「ここでお待ちください」, 「で」 marks where the action of waiting takes place. In 「ここから出ます」, 「から」 marks the starting point. The same place demonstrative may therefore take different particles depending on what the sentence expresses.
How Do Japanese 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 Compare with Korean 「여기・거기・저기・어디」?
Japanese 「ここ／そこ／あそこ／どこ」 and Korean 「여기／거기／저기／어디」 can basically be matched pair by pair when they refer to physical locations. A place near the speaker is 「ここ／여기」, a place near the listener is 「そこ／거기」, a place far from both people is 「あそこ／저기」, and an unknown place is asked about with 「どこ／어디」.
◆ 「ここ」 and Korean 「여기」: A Location Near the Speaker
Korean 「여기」 and Japanese 「ここ」 are the easiest pair to compare directly. Both place the location on the speaker’s side. At a hotel counter, someone may say “Please fill this in here,” or a staff member may point beside themselves and say “Please wait here.” Korean uses 「여기」, while Japanese uses 「ここ」. Different particles may follow depending on whether the sentence expresses existence, the location of an action, or direction of movement.
- Example: 여기가 지하철역 입구예요.
Romanization: yeo-gi-ga ji-ha-cheol-yeok ip-gu-ye-yo.
Translation: This is the entrance to the subway station.
「여기」 refers to the speaker’s current location and closely corresponds to 「ここ」 in the Japanese sentence 「ここが地下鉄の入口です」. - Example: 여기에서 잠깐 기다려 주세요.
Romanization: yeo-gi-e-seo jam-kkan gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Translation: Please wait here for a moment.
「여기」 is followed by 「에서」, marking the place where the action of waiting occurs. Japanese can express this as 「ここで少し待ってください」. - Example: 가방은 여기에 놓아 주세요.
Romanization: ga-bang-eun yeo-gi-e no-a ju-se-yo.
Translation: Please put the bag here.
「여기에」 marks the place where the object is to be placed and can be compared with 「ここに」 in 「かばんはここに置いてください」.
◆ 「そこ」 and Korean 「거기」: A Location Near the Listener
Korean 「거기」 and Japanese 「そこ」 can both refer to a place on the listener’s side. When two people are standing apart, the speaker may point near the other person and say “Wait there” or “Put it there.” Korean commonly uses 「거기」, while Japanese uses 「そこ」. In addition, 「거기」 often refers back to a place already mentioned in conversation. For example, after talking about a particular café, the next sentence may use 「거기」 to mean “that place.” Japanese 「そこ」 has a similar function.
- Example: 거기에서 조금만 기다려 주세요.
Romanization: geo-gi-e-seo jo-geum-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Translation: Please wait there for a little while.
If the other person is already near the designated location, the speaker can use 「거기」 to refer to the listener’s side, much like Japanese 「そこで少し待ってください」. - Example: 거기에 제 가방이 있어요?
Romanization: geo-gi-e je ga-bang-i i-sseo-yo?
Translation: Is my bag there?
「거기」 can be used when asking about a bag located near the other person. Japanese can likewise use 「そこ」 depending on where both people are standing. - Example: 어제 갔던 카페 기억나요? 거기 커피가 맛있었어요.
Romanization: eo-je gat-deon ka-pe gi-eok-na-yo? geo-gi keo-pi-ga ma-si-sseo-sseo-yo.
Translation: Do you remember the café we went to yesterday?
The coffee there was good.
Here, 「거기」 does not refer to a place physically near the listener. Instead, it refers back to the café already mentioned. Japanese 「そこ」 can similarly refer back to a place introduced earlier in the conversation.
◆ 「あそこ」 and Korean 「저기」: A Location Far from Both People
Korean 「저기」 and Japanese 「あそこ」 are both used for places that are relatively far from both the speaker and listener, such as a convenience store across the street, an exit in the distance, or the far end of a platform. In these situations, both people are looking toward the same distant place, so Korean uses 「저기」 and Japanese uses 「あそこ」. Chinese may translate both as “那裡,” but the spatial relationship is different from 「거기／そこ」.
- Example: 저기가 버스 정류장이에요.
Romanization: jeo-gi-ga beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i-e-yo.
Translation: That over there is the bus stop.
「저기」 is used when the speaker and listener are both looking toward a distant bus stop, closely matching the scene in Japanese 「あそこがバス停です」. - Example: 저기에 편의점이 있어요.
Romanization: jeo-gi-e pyeon-ui-jeom-i i-sseo-yo.
Translation: There is a convenience store over there.
The convenience store is some distance from both people, so 「저기」 is used. In Japanese, this could be expressed as 「あそこにコンビニがあります」. - Example: 저기 보이는 건물이 호텔이에요.
Romanization: jeo-gi bo-i-neun geon-mul-i ho-tel-i-e-yo.
Translation: The building you can see over there is the hotel.
When both people look at the same distant building, 「저기」 places the location beyond both of them, much like Japanese 「あそこ」.
◆ 「どこ」 and Korean 「어디」: Asking About an Unknown Place
Korean 「어디」 and Japanese 「どこ」 are both interrogative words used to ask about unknown places. Questions such as “Where is the restroom?”, “Where should we meet?”, and “Where are you going?” use 「どこ」 in Japanese and 「어디」 in Korean. Both languages also combine these words with different particles according to the verb, so Korean has forms such as 「어디에／어디에서／어디로」, while Japanese has 「どこに／どこで／どこへ」.
- Example: 화장실이 어디예요?
Romanization: hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Translation: Where is the restroom?
「어디」 is used directly when the restroom’s location is unknown, corresponding closely to Japanese 「トイレはどこですか」. - Example: 내일 어디에서 만날까요?
Romanization: nae-il eo-di-e-seo man-nal-kka-yo?
Translation: Where shall we meet tomorrow?
「어디에서」 asks where the act of meeting will take place, much like 「どこで」 in Japanese 「明日どこで会いましょうか」. - Example: 지금 어디에 가요?
Romanization: ji-geum eo-di-e ga-yo?
Translation: Where are you going now?
Here, 「어디에」 asks about a destination. Japanese can similarly use 「今どこに行きますか」.
◆ Differences Between Japanese 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 and Korean 「여기・거기・저기・어디」:
The four pairs line up neatly when referring to physical locations, but they should not be mechanically substituted word for word. 「ここ／여기」 and 「どこ／어디」 are usually the most straightforward. 「そこ／거기」 and 「あそこ／저기」 are more easily confused because Chinese often translates both as “那裡.” With these latter two pairs, first determine whether the location is close to the listener or far from both the speaker and listener, and then choose the appropriate pair.
Japanese 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 may look like four very basic place words, but most mistakes come from spatial relationships. Chinese can often use the single word “那裡,” while Japanese makes a finer distinction: use 「ここ」 near the speaker, usually 「そこ」 near the listener, 「あそこ」 only when the place is far from both people, and 「どこ」 when the place is unknown.
When deciding between 「そこ」 and 「あそこ」, you do not need to start by asking which Chinese “there” it corresponds to. Looking at where both people are standing is faster. When the speaker and listener are apart, 「そこ」 usually falls on the listener’s side. When they are standing together, 「そこ」 becomes closer to the middle-range area often illustrated in textbooks. 「あそこ」 refers to a place that both people need to look farther away to see.
Also, 「ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ」 only identify locations. Once they appear in full sentences, you must also look at the following particles and verbs. 「どこにありますか」 asks about existence, while 「どこで食べますか」 asks where an action takes place. Separating the function of the place word itself from particles such as 「に／で」 makes it much easier to avoid mixing all four expressions into the same vague idea of “where” or “there.”
FAQs
「ここ」 refers to a place near the speaker, 「そこ」 usually refers to the listener’s side or a middle area when both are on the same side, 「あそこ」 refers to a place relatively far from both people, and 「どこ」 is used to ask about an unknown location. The positions of the speaker, listener, and location should all be considered together.
「そこ」 is often associated with the listener’s area, while 「あそこ」 is relatively far from both speaker and listener. When both people are standing on the same side, 「そこ」 may also refer to a middle area, so the difference cannot be judged by fixed distance alone.
「ここ」 refers to a place, while 「これ」 refers to an object. For example, 「ここは出口です」 means “This place is the exit,” while 「これは切符です」 means “This object is a ticket.”
「どこに」 is commonly used to ask about existence, arrival, or where something is placed, while 「どこで」 asks where an action takes place. For example, 「トイレはどこにありますか」 asks where the restroom is, while 「どこで食べますか」 asks where someone will eat.
The most basic expression is 「すみません、トイレはどこですか」. In more polite situations, you may also hear 「お手洗いはどちらですか」, where 「どちら」 functions as a more polite version of 「どこ」.