その

• Reading: その
• Romaji: sono
• Pronunciation: /so.no/

Meaning

That; the. A pre-noun modifier for things near the listener or previously mentioned.

The 'so' member of the ko-so-a-do adnominal (noun-modifying) series: この (this), その (that, near you), あの (that, far away), どの (which). Always followed by a noun. Also used anaphorically to reference something just mentioned (その時 = at that time). Cannot stand alone as a pronoun — use それ instead.

Examples

1. その本を見せてください。 Please show me that book.
2. その日は忙しいです。 I'm busy on that day.
3. その話は本当ですか。 Is that story true?

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, storytelling, reference

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the ancient Japanese demonstrative system. The 'so' prefix indicates proximity to the listener or anaphoric reference, with の functioning as the attributive particle that links it to a following noun.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal