Translation and Meaning of: 此の - kono

If you are learning Japanese, you have likely come across the word 此の[この]. Present in everyday dialogues, animes, and even in formal texts, it is one of the most basic demonstratives in the language. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as curiosities that go beyond textbooks. Whether for creating sentences in Anki or understanding cultural nuances, here you will find useful and accurate information.

Meaning and use of 此の[この]

この [kono] is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this." It is used to indicate something close to the speaker, whether physically or in the context of the conversation. Unlike その (that/that one) or あの (that over there), この establishes an immediate proximity.

An interesting detail is that この almost always precedes a noun, as in この本 (this book) or この人 (this person). It rarely appears alone, unlike its equivalents in Portuguese. This feature is crucial for anyone who wants to sound natural when speaking Japanese.

Origin and writing of the kanji 此

The kanji 此, read as "ko" in この, has ancient origins in Chinese writing. It represents the idea of "here" or "this," composed of the radical 止 (to stop) combined with 匕 (spoon), suggesting the notion of something present at the location. Despite this etymology, in modern Japanese, the kanji is rarely used in isolation, appearing mainly in compounds like 此処[ここ] (here).

It is worth noting that, in practice, この is more commonly written in hiragana. The use of the kanji 此 is more frequent in literary or formal texts, but even in those contexts, it is not mandatory. For students, focusing on hiragana is the safest choice.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to reinforce この is to associate it with nearby objects in your daily life. When you pick up a cell phone, for example, think "このスマホ". This type of contextual exercise helps to remember not only the word but also its grammatical function. Anki can be a great ally here, with cards that show images of nearby objects.

Another important point is to avoid confusing この with これ, which also means "this" but functions as an independent pronoun. While この needs a noun (このペン - this pen), これ is already complete (これはペンです - this is a pen). This distinction is essential for constructing sentences correctly.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• この (kono) - This (used to indicate something close to the speaker)

此の

Romaji: kono
Kana: この
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: this

Meaning in English: this

Definition: It means "this". A demonstrative pronoun that refers to something close or being talked about.