課3

Lesson 3: Places, Directions & Shopping (第3課)

Master Place Demonstratives (koko, soko, asoko), Building Facilities, Pricing & 6 English Grammar Rules

Native Web Speech Ready: Click any Japanese row or speaker icon to hear authentic pronunciation.
Part 1: Place & Direction Demonstratives (場所と方向の指示詞)
Ko-So-A-Do System: Place & Direction Physical Perspective
Japanese clearly marks locations based on proximity to speaker (Ko-), proximity to listener (So-), distant from both (A-), or interrogative (Do-). The polite/direction series (kochira, sochira, achira, dochira) is used when speaking politely or pointing directions.
Ko-Series (Near Speaker)
koko / kochira
here / this place / this way (polite)
So-Series (Near Listener)
soko / sochira
there / that place near you / that way
A-Series (Far From Both)
asoko / achira
over there / that place over there
Do-Series (Question Word)
doko / dochira
where? / which place / which way (polite)
Demonstrative Place & Direction Words (Page 24)
Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Pronunciation English Meaning & Nuance Audio
ここ koko [koh-koh] here, this place (near speaker)
そこ soko [soh-koh] there, that place near you
あそこ asoko [ah-soh-koh] that place over there (far from both)
どこ doko [doh-koh] where, what place
こちら kochira [koh-chee-rah] this way, this place polite of ここ
そちら sochira [soh-chee-rah] that way, that place near you polite of そこ
あちら achira [ah-chee-rah] that way, that place over there polite of あそこ
どちら dochira [doh-chee-rah] which way, where polite of どこ
Part 2: Rooms, Campus & Building Facilities (部屋・学校・施設)
Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Pronunciation English Meaning Audio
教室 (きょうしつ) kyoushitsu [kyoh-shee-tsoo] classroom
食堂 (しょくどう) shokudou [shoh-koo-doh] dining hall, canteen, cafeteria
事務所 (じむしょ) jimusho [jee-moo-shoh] office
会議室 (かいぎしつ) kaigishitsu [kah-ee-gee-shee-tsoo] conference room, meeting room
受付 (うけつけ) uketsuke [oo-keh-tsoo-keh] reception desk, information counter
ロビー robii [roh-bee] lobby, lounge
部屋 (へや) heya [heh-yah] room
トイレ (お手洗い・おてあらい) toire (otearai) [toh-ee-reh / oh-teh-ah-rah-ee] toilet, restroom お手洗い is polite
階段 (かいだん) kaidan [kah-ee-dahn] staircase, stairs
エレベーター erebeetaa [eh-reh-beh-tah] elevator, lift
エスカレーター esukareetaa [eh-soo-kah-reh-tah] escalator
Part 3: Institutions, Places & Everyday Belongings (国・会社・日用品)
Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Pronunciation English Meaning & Usage Audio
[お]国 (くに) [o]kuni [oh-koo-nee] country お- is respectful
会社 (かいしゃ) kaisha [kah-ee-shah] company, firm
うち (家) uchi [oo-chee] house, home
電話 (でんわ) denwa [dehn-wah] telephone, phone call
靴 (くつ) kutsu [koo-tsoo] shoes
ネクタイ nekutai [neh-koo-tah-ee] necktie, tie
ワイン wain [wah-een] wine
たばこ (煙草) tabako [tah-bah-koh] tobacco, cigarette
売り場 (うりば) uriba [oo-ree-bah] department, sales counter (in a store)
Part 4: Floors, Counters, Currency & Large Numbers (階・円・数)
Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Pronunciation English Meaning & Counting Role Audio
地下 (ちか) chika [chee-kah] basement, underground (B1, B2)
〜階 (〜かい / 〜がい) -kai / -gai [kah-ee / gah-ee] -th floor (building counter suffix)
何階 (なんがい) nangai [nahn-gah-ee] what floor? (question word for floors)
〜円 (〜えん) -en [ehn] - yen (Japanese currency unit)
いくら ikura [ee-koo-rah] how much? (asking the price)
百 (ひゃく) hyaku [hyah-koo] hundred (100)
千 (せん) sen [sehn] thousand (1,000)
万 (まん) man [mahn] ten thousand (10,000)
Part 5: Expressions & Dialogue Phrases (会話の表現, Page 25)
Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Pronunciation English Meaning & Social Function Audio
すみません。 Sumimasen. [soo-mee-mah-sehn] Excuse me. (getting attention / apologizing)
〜で ございます。 ~ de gozaimasu. [deh goh-zah-ee-mahs] polite equivalent of です (desu) clerk speech
[〜を] 見せてください。 [~ o] misete kudasai. [mee-seh-teh koo-dah-sah-ee] Please show me [~]. (shopping request)
じゃ ja [jah] well, then, in that case
[〜を] ください。 [~ o] kudasai. [koo-dah-sah-ee] Give me [~], please. / I'll take [~].
新大阪 (しんおおさか) Shin-Oosaka [sheen oh-oh-sah-kah] Shin-Osaka (Bullet train station in Osaka)
イタリア Itaria [ee-tah-ree-ah] Italy
スイス Suisu [soo-ee-soo] Switzerland
MT / ヨーネン / アキックス MT / Younen / Akikkusu [ehm-tee / yoh-nehn / ah-keek-koo-soo] Fictitious company names in textbook
Part 6: Complete English Grammar & Sentence Structures (6 Core Rules, Pages 28–29)
Beginner Study Guide: All formulas, sentence structures, and mechanical explanations below are provided in plain English and Romaji. Japanese Hiragana/Kanji is provided in the practice table rows.
1 koko / soko / asoko / kochira / sochira / achira Demonstrative Words of Place & Direction
Sentence Structure Formula
[koko / soko / asoko] + wa + [Place / Facility] + desu.
Meaning: "This place / That place / That place over there is [Facility]."
[koko / soko / asoko] + wa + [Place] + desu ka?
Question Form: "Is this / that place [Place]?" (e.g. Koko wa Shin-Oosaka desu ka?)
[kochira / sochira / achira] + wa + [Place] + de gozaimasu.
Polite Department / Direction Form (Clerk speech): "In this direction / over there is [Place]."
How to Build the Sentence (Step-by-Step):
  1. Step 1: Identify location distance: koko (where speaker is), soko (where listener is), asoko (far from both).
  2. Step 2: Attach topic particle wa (written as は).
  3. Step 3: Name the facility or room (e.g. shokudou = dining hall, jimusho = office).
  4. Step 4: Conclude with desu. (statement) or desu ka? (question).

Place Demonstratives vs Thing Demonstratives:

In Lesson 2 you learned kore, sore, are which refer to physical things. In Lesson 3, koko, soko, asoko refer specifically to places and locations.

  • koko (here): The place where the speaker is located.
  • soko (there): The place where the listener is located.
  • asoko (over there): A place distant from both the speaker and listener.
  • kochira, sochira, achira: Directional demonstratives ("this way, that way"). They also function as the polite equivalents of koko, soko, asoko when addressing customers or guests.
Territory Note: When the speaker and listener share the exact same territory (e.g. standing together), koko is where both are, soko is a spot slightly away, and asoko is even further away.
Japanese (Body Practice) Romaji English Meaning Audio
① ここは 食堂です。 Koko wa shokudou desu. This (place) is the dining hall.
② ここは 新大阪ですか。
…はい、そうです。		 Koko wa Shin-Oosaka desu ka?
...Hai, sou desu.		 Is this Shin-Osaka?
...Yes, it is.
2 [Noun 1] wa [Noun 2 (Place)] desu Explaining Where a Person, Thing, or Place Is
Sentence Structure Formula
[Thing / Person / Room] + wa + [Place Demonstrative / Location / Floor] + desu.
Meaning: "[Thing / Person] is at [Place / Floor]."
How to Build the Sentence (Step-by-Step):
  1. Step 1: State what you are locating as the topic: Otearai wa (The restroom), Denwa wa (The phone), Yamada-san wa (Mr. Yamada).
  2. Step 2: State the location noun, demonstrative, or floor number: asoko (over there), 2-kai (2nd floor), jimusho (office).
  3. Step 3: Conclude with polite predicate desu. (or de gozaimasu in formal clerk speech).

Describing Location of Any Object or Person:

This sentence structure is versatile. You can locate physical items, building rooms, or human beings by making the subject the topic with wa and putting the location predicate before desu.

Japanese (Body Practice) Romaji English Meaning Audio
① お手洗いは あそこです。 Otearai wa asoko desu. The rest room is over there.
② 電話は ２階です。 Denwa wa ni-kai desu. The telephone is on the 2nd floor.
③ 山田さんは 事務所です。 Yamada-san wa jimusho desu. Mr. Yamada is in the office.
3 doko / dochira (Interrogative Question Words) Asking "Where?" and Asking About Affiliated Organizations
Sentence Structure Formula
[Topic] + wa + doko + desu ka?
Standard Inquiries: "Where is [Topic]?" (e.g. Otearai wa doko desu ka?)
[Topic] + wa + dochira + desu ka?
Polite Direction / Origin Form: "Which direction / Where is [Topic]?" (e.g. Erebeetaa wa dochira desu ka?)
Critical Japanese Grammar Rule: To ask the name of someone's school, company, or country, you MUST use doko or dochira! You CANNOT use nan (what). Saying *Kaisha wa nan desu ka is incorrect.

1) Asking Where Places & Directions Are:

doko means "where". dochira literally means "which direction", and is also widely used as the polite equivalent of doko.

2) Inquiring About Organization & School Affiliation:

When asking someone which country they belong to, which school they attend, or what company they work for, Japanese uses doko / dochira because an organization is treated as a place/institution:

  • Gakkou wa doko desu ka? = What school do you attend? (lit. Where is your school?)
  • Kaisha wa dochira desu ka? = What company do you work for? (Polite)
Japanese (Body Practice) Romaji English Meaning Audio
④ お手洗いは どこですか。
…あそこです。		 Otearai wa doko desu ka?
...Asoko desu.		 Where is the rest room?
...It's over there.
⑤ エレベーターは どちらですか。
…あちらです。		 Erebeetaa wa dochira desu ka?
...Achira desu.		 Where / which way is the elevator?
...It is in that direction. (polite)
⑥ 学校は どこですか。 Gakkou wa doko desu ka? What's the name of your school?
⑦ 会社は どちらですか。 Kaisha wa dochira desu ka? What company do you work for? (polite)
4 [Noun 1] no [Noun 2] (Origin / Manufacturer) Country of Origin or Manufacturing Brand
Sentence Structure Formula
[Country / Company] + no + [Product]
Meaning: "[Product] made in [Country]" or "[Product] made by [Company]."
Kore wa doko no [Product] desu ka?
Question Formula: "Where / by which brand was this [Product] made?"
How to Build the Sentence (Step-by-Step):
  1. Step 1: State demonstrative topic: Kore wa (This) or Sore wa (That).
  2. Step 2: Use doko no + [Product noun] to inquire maker/origin: e.g. doko no konpyuutaa desu ka?
  3. Step 3: Answer by replacing doko with the country or manufacturer: Nihon no konpyuutaa desu (Japanese computer) or IMC no konpyuutaa desu (Computer made by IMC).

Expressing Origin & Brand:

In Lesson 1, particle no connected organizations to people (IMC no shain). In Lesson 2, it expressed possession (watashi no hon). Here in Lesson 3, no expresses origin or maker:

  • When [Noun 1] is a country (e.g. Itaria no kutsu), it means the shoes were made in Italy.
  • When [Noun 1] is a company (e.g. IMC no konpyuutaa), it means the computer was produced by IMC.
Japanese (Body Practice) Romaji English Meaning Audio
⑧ これは どこの コンピューターですか。
…日本の コンピューターです。
…IMCの コンピューターです。		 Kore wa doko no konpyuutaa desu ka?
...Nihon no konpyuutaa desu.
...IMC no konpyuutaa desu.		 Where is this computer made? / Who made this computer?
...It is made in Japan.
...It is made by IMC.
5 The Ko / So / A / Do System Master Matrix Unified Demonstrative Architecture (Lessons 2 & 3)

All Japanese demonstratives follow a strictly symmetrical prefix system based on physical and psychological space:

Function Ko- (Near Speaker) So- (Near Listener) A- (Far From Both) Do- (Question Word)
Thing (Noun) これ (kore) それ (sore) あれ (are) どれ (dore)
Modifier (+Noun) この [N] (kono N) その [N] (sono N) あの [N] (ano N) どの [N] (dono N)
Place (Location) ここ (koko) そこ (soko) あそこ (asoko) どこ (doko)
Direction / Polite Place こちら (kochira) そちら (sochira) あちら (achira) どちら (dochira)
6 [o-] prefix (Polite Honorific Prefix お) Showing Respect to the Listener or Third Party
Sentence Structure Formula
[O]kuni wa dochira desu ka?
Polite inquiry: "Which country are you from?" (Using polite prefix o- and polite word dochira)
Golden Etiquette Rule: The prefix o- is attached to words connected with the listener or a third person to show reverence. NEVER attach "o-" to your own country or possessions! Stating *Watashi no okuni wa... is an etiquette mistake.

Polite Expressions with "o-":

Prefixing o- (お) elevates politeness. Other common examples include otearai (restroom), osake (alcohol), and odenwa (phone call).

Japanese (Body Practice) Romaji English Meaning Audio
⑨ [お]国は どちらですか。
…アメリカです。		 [O]kuni wa dochira desu ka?
...Amerika desu.		 Where are you from? (Which is your country?)
...I am from America.
Part 7: Core Sentence Patterns (文型 — Bunkei, Page 26)
# Japanese Pattern Romaji English Translation Audio
1 ここは 食堂です。 Koko wa shokudou desu. This is a dining hall.
2 電話は あそこです。 Denwa wa asoko desu. The telephone is over there.
Part 8: Practical Example Sentences (例文 — Reibun, Page 26)
Everyday Practical Q&A Scenarios
# Japanese Dialogue (例文) Romaji English Translation Audio
1 ここは 新大阪ですか。
…はい、そうです。 		Koko wa Shin-Oosaka desu ka?
…Hai, sou desu. 		Is this Shin-Osaka?
…Yes, it is.
2 お手洗いは どこですか。
…あそこです。 		Otearai wa doko desu ka?
…Asoko desu. 		Where is the rest room?
…It is over there.
3 山田さんは どこですか。
…事務所です。 		Yamada-san wa doko desu ka?
…Jimusho desu. 		Where is Mr. Yamada?
…He is in the office.
4 エレベーターは どちらですか。
…あちらです。 		Erebeetaa wa dochira desu ka?
…Achira desu. 		Where is the elevator?
…It is there / in that direction. (polite)
5 [お]国は どちらですか。
…アメリカです。 		[O]kuni wa dochira desu ka?
…Amerika desu. 		Which country are you from?
…America.
6 それは どこの 靴ですか。
…イタリアの 靴です。 		Sore wa doko no kutsu desu ka?
…Itaria no kutsu desu. 		Where are those shoes from?
…They are Italian shoes.
7 この 時計は いくらですか。
…１８,６００円です。
(一万 八千 六百円) 		Kono tokei wa ikura desu ka?
…Ichi-man hassen roppyaku-en desu. 		How much is this watch?
…It is 18,600 yen.
Part 9: Real-Life Dialogue: これを ください ("I'll Take It", Page 26)
Scenario: Maria visits a Japanese department store. First she asks the floor directory clerk where the wine department is located, then shops at the counter with the sales clerk. Click any speech bubble to listen!
Scene 1: Information Desk
マリア
Maria (マリア)
すみません。ワイン売り場は どこですか。
Sumimasen. Wain-uriba wa doko desu ka?
[soo-mee-mah-sehn. wah-een oo-ree-bah wah doh-koh dehs kah?]
Excuse me. Where is the wine department?
店員A
Sales Clerk A (店員A)
地下１階で ございます。
Chika ikkai de gozaimasu.
[chee-kah eek-kah-ee deh goh-zah-ee-mahs]
It is on the first basement floor. (polite clerk form)
マリア
Maria (マリア)
どうも。
Doumo.
[doh-moh]
Thanks.
Scene 2: At the Basement Wine Counter
マリア
Maria (マリア)
すみません。その ワインを 見せてください。
Sumimasen. Sono wain o misete kudasai.
[soo-mee-mah-sehn. soh-noh wah-een oh mee-seh-teh koo-dah-sah-ee]
Excuse me. Could you please show me that wine?
店員B
Sales Clerk B (店員B)
はい、どうぞ。
Hai, douzo.
[hah-ee, doh-zoh]
Certainly. Here you are.
マリア
Maria (マリア)
これは フランスの ワインですか。
Kore wa Furansu no wain desu ka?
[koh-reh wah foo-rahn-soo noh wah-een dehs kah?]
Is this French wine?
店員B
Sales Clerk B (店員B)
いいえ、イタリアの[ワイン]です。
Iie, Itaria no [wain] desu.
[ee-ee-eh, ee-tah-ree-ah noh dehs]
No, it's Italian.
マリア
Maria (マリア)
いくらですか。
Ikura desu ka?
[ee-koo-rah dehs kah?]
How much is it?
店員B
Sales Clerk B (店員B)
２,５００円です。
Ni-sen go-hyaku-en desu.
[nee-sehn goh-hyah-koo ehn dehs]
It is 2,500 yen.
マリア
Maria (マリア)
じゃ、これを ください。
Ja, kore o kudasai.
[jah, koh-reh oh koo-dah-sah-ee]
Well then, I'll take this one, please.
Part 10: Department Store Floor Directory & Floor Counters (デパート, Page 27)
Floor Counting Rules: Notice phonetic sound mutations! 1st floor is ikkai (not *ichi-kai), 3rd floor is sangai (with -gai), 6th is rokkai, 8th is hakkai, and 10th is jikkai.
屋上 屋上・遊園地 (おくじょう・ゆうえんち) Rooftop: Amusement Area & Play Garden
8階 食堂・催し物会場 (はっかい) 8F: Restaurants & Event Hall
7階 時計・眼鏡・カメラ (ななかい) 7F: Watches, Eyeglasses & Cameras
6階 スポーツ用品・旅行用品 (ろっかい) 6F: Sporting Goods & Leisure / Travel Goods
5階 子ども服・おもちゃ・本・文房具 (ごかい) 5F: Children's Clothes, Toys, Books & Stationery
4階 家具・食器・電気製品 (よんかい) 4F: Furniture, Kitchenware & Electrical Appliances
3階 紳士服 (さんがい) 3F: Men's Wear & Formal Attire
2階 婦人服 (にかい) 2F: Ladies' Wear & Fashion
1階 靴・かばん・アクセサリー・化粧品 (いっかい) 1F: Shoes, Bags, Accessories & Cosmetics
B1階 食料品 (ちかいっかい) B1F: Food Court & Groceries (Depachika)
B2階 駐車場 (ちかにかい・ちゅうしゃじょう) B2F: Parking Lot
Complete Floor Counting Chart (1F to 10F + Basement)
Floor Hiragana / Kanji Romaji Phonetic Mutation Note
1F 1階 (いっかい) ikkai Double consonant "kk" (ichi + kai -> ikkai)
2F 2階 (にかい) nikai Regular pronunciation
3F 3階 (さんがい) sangai Voiced "gai" mutation (san + gai)
4F 4階 (よんかい) yonkai yon + kai
5F 5階 (ごかい) gokai Regular pronunciation
6F 6階 (ろっかい) rokkai Double consonant "kk" (roku + kai -> rokkai)
7F 7階 (ななかい) nanakai nana + kai
8F 8階 (はっかい) hakkai Double consonant "kk" (hachi + kai -> hakkai)
9F 9階 (きゅうかい) kyuukai kyuu + kai
10F 10階 (じっかい / じゅっかい) jikkai / jukkai Double consonant "kk"
? Floor 何階 (なんがい) nangai Voiced "gai" (nan + gai = What floor?)
Japanese Currency & Large Numbers Guide (百・千・万)
Number Kanji / Hiragana Romaji Phonetic Mutation Warning
100 百 (ひゃく) hyaku Base hundred
300 三百 (さんびゃく) sanbyaku Mutation: "byaku"
600 六百 (ろっぴゃく) roppyaku Mutation: "ppyaku"
800 八百 (はっぴゃく) happyaku Mutation: "ppyaku"
1,000 千 (せん) sen Base thousand
3,000 三千 (さんぜん) sanzen Mutation: "zen"
8,000 八千 (はっせん) hassen Mutation: "ssen"
10,000 一万 (いちまん) ichi-man Always say "ichi-man" (not just *man)
18,600 円 18,600円 (いちまんはっせんろっぴゃくえん) ichi-man hassen roppyaku-en Reibun #7 example price
LESSON 3 MASTERED

Congratulations! You Have Completed Lesson 3

You can now ask where places are, navigate department stores, ask product origins, and inquire about prices and numbers in Japanese.

Review Lesson 2 Return to Master Sheet Continue to Lesson 4 (第4課)
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