GrammarJLPT N5
→ in this way
In This Way / Like This
JLPT N5AdverbNeutral
こう is a demonstrative adverb belonging to the こ・そ・あ・ど (ko-so-a-do) system and refers to a manner or method that is close to the speaker — either physically demonstrated, just mentioned by the speaker, or about to be explained. It translates naturally as "in this way," "like this," or "this much." Because it is an adverb, こう directly modifies verbs and adjectives without any particle. It contrasts with そう (in that way — closer to the listener or referring to something the listener said), ああ (in that way — distant from both speaker and listener), and どう (in what way — interrogative). While このように is a more formal equivalent meaning "in this manner," こう is shorter and more conversational. こう can also function as a filler word similar to "uh" or "well" in casual speech when the speaker is searching for words, though this usage is colloquial and less commonly taught.
Functions
#1 Demonstrating or explaining a method
Structure
こう + Verb
こうやって ください。
Here こう refers to the way the speaker is physically demonstrating or about to describe. The phrase こうやって is an extremely common combination meaning "do it this way" or "like this," where やって is the て-form of やる (to do). The speaker uses こう to draw the listener's attention to the specific method being shown.Please do it like this.
Structures
- Modifying a verb
- こう + Verb
- Modifying an adjective / adverb
- こう + Adjective / Adverb
Common mistakes
A common mistake is confusing こう with そう. Remember that こう refers to something close to the speaker or something the speaker is demonstrating or about to say, while そう refers to something closer to the listener or something the listener just mentioned. Another frequent error is using こう interchangeably with こんな or こんなに. While they overlap in meaning, こんな modifies nouns (こんな本 — this kind of book), whereas こう modifies verbs and adjectives. Learners also sometimes try to attach particles after こう, such as saying こうに or こうで, which is incorrect — こう is already an adverb and connects directly to the word it modifies without any particle.
Related
そうああどうこのようにこんなにこんな