This and that — in Japanese there are three levels of distance, not two. Lesson 2 teaches the demonstrative system (これ・それ・あれ) along with everyday objects like books, keys, and umbrellas so you can point things out and ask what they are.

In Lesson 1 you learned to introduce yourself and ask who someone is — now you can start talking about the things around you.

These words come from Minna no Nihongo, one of the most widely used Japanese textbooks for beginners. Each word here includes furigana readings, English meanings, example sentences, and native audio to help you review and practice alongside the textbook.

How to use this page

Every kanji in the word column is tappable — it opens a page showing every word that shares that character, so you can start noticing patterns across lessons. Tap a word's romaji or meaning to see example sentences where related vocabulary is linked for easy cross-reference.

You can switch between four Japanese voices (two male, two female) using the speaker button at the bottom of the screen, and change the Japanese font from the navigation bar to get comfortable reading different typefaces.

WordRomajiMeaningAudio
これkorethis (thing here)
それsorethat (thing near the listener)
あれarethat (thing over there)
この ~kono ~this ~, this ~ here
その ~sono ~that ~, that ~ near the listener
あの ~ano ~that ~, that ~ over there
(ほん)honbook
(じし)()jishodictionary
(ざっ)()zasshimagazine
(しん)(ぶん)shinbunnewspaper
ノートnōtonotebook
(てち)(ょう)techōpersonal organiser
(めい)()meishibusiness card
カードkādo(credit) card
(えん)(ぴつ)enpitsupencil
ボールペンbōrupenballpoint pen
シャープペンシルshāpupenshirumechanical pencil, propelling pencil
かぎkagikey
(とけ)()tokeiwatch, clock
(かさ)kasaumbrella
かばんkabanbag, briefcase
CDCDCD, compact disc
テレビterebitelevision
ラジオrajioradio
カメラkameracamera
コンピューターkonpyūtācomputer
(くるま)kurumacar, vehicle
(つくえ)tsukuedesk
いすisuchair
チョコレートchokorētochocolate
コーヒーkōhiicoffee
[お](みや)()[o] miyagesouvenir, present
(えい)()eigothe English language
(にほ)()()nihongothe Japanese language
()~go~ language
(なん)nanwhat
そうso
あのうanouEr... (used to show hesitation)
えっe'Oh? What! (used when hearing something unexpected)
どうぞ。dōzo.Here you are. (used when offering someone something)
[どうも]ありがとう[ございます]。[dōmo] arigatō [gozaimasu].Thank you [very much].
そうですか。sōdesuka.I see.
(ちが)います。chigaimasu.No, it isn't./You are wrong.
aOh! (used when becoming aware of something)
これから お()()に なります。korekara osewani narimasu.Thank you in advance for your kindness.
こちらこそ[どうぞ]よろしく[お(ねが)いします]。kochirakoso [dōzo] yoroshiku [onegaishimasu].Pleased to meet you, too. (response to[どうぞ]よろしく[おねがいします]。)