あの

• Reading: あの
• Romaji: ano
• Pronunciation: /a.no/

Meaning

That; those; the. A pre-noun modifier for things far from both speaker and listener.

The 'a' member of the ko-so-a-do adnominal series, modifying nouns to indicate distance from both speaker and listener. Also extremely common as a filler word or hesitation marker (あの... = um...; well...) when pausing to think. Used to refer to shared knowledge between speaker and listener (あの店 = that shop we both know).

Examples

1. あの人は誰ですか。 Who is that person over there?
2. あの、すみません。ちょっといいですか。 Um, excuse me. Do you have a moment?
3. あの映画はとてもよかったです。 That movie was really great.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, pointing, hesitation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the ancient Japanese demonstrative system. The 'a' prefix marks distance from both speaker and listener. Its use as a filler word developed from the act of pointing to something distant while gathering one's thoughts.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal