GrammarJLPT N5
→ this
This (modifying a noun)
JLPT N5Other (Pre-noun adjectival / Rentaishi)Neutral
この is a pre-noun adjectival (連体詞 / rentaishi) that means "this" and always appears directly before a noun. It belongs to the こ-そ-あ-ど (ko-so-a-do) demonstrative system in Japanese, where the こ series refers to something close to the speaker. Unlike the pronoun これ, which stands alone as "this" without a following noun, この must always modify a noun — you cannot use この by itself. It parallels その ("that" near the listener) and あの ("that" over there, far from both speaker and listener). Because この is a rentaishi and not an adjective, it does not conjugate and has no other forms; it simply attaches directly to the noun it modifies. Beyond its basic spatial demonstrative meaning, この is also used to refer to a recent time period ("these last few days") and can appear in emotional or accusatory expressions directed at someone present ("you" as in "you idiot!").
Functions
#1 Indicating something close to the speaker
Structure
この + Noun
この本はおもしろいです。
This is the most basic and common use of この. It points to a noun that is physically or contextually close to the speaker. In this sentence, the speaker is referring to a specific book that is near them — perhaps they are holding it or it is on the desk in front of them. この directly modifies the noun 本 (book) and cannot be separated from it.This book is interesting.
Structures
- Noun modification
- この + Noun
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is confusing この with これ. Remember that この must always be followed by a noun (e.g., このペン — "this pen"), while これ stands alone as a pronoun (e.g., これはペンです — "This is a pen"). Saying これペン or このはペンです are both incorrect. Another frequent error is mixing up the ko-so-a-do demonstratives: この is for things near the speaker, その for things near the listener, and あの for things far from both. Learners sometimes use この when they should use その, especially when referring to something the listener just mentioned — in that case, その is typically more appropriate unless the speaker is claiming the topic as their own.
Related
そのあのどのこれこちら