How to Read Japanese Demonstratives in Reading: What Do “This,” “That,” and “That Over There” Refer To?

One of the most common hidden traps in reading comprehension is misreading demonstratives.

When you see words like kore, sore, or are, it is easy to guess what they refer to and keep reading. But that small guess can change the meaning of the entire passage. Many learners understand most of the text, yet still miss the correct answer because they followed the wrong reference.

In JLPT reading especially, being able to trace demonstratives accurately helps you see the writer’s point, logic, and contrast more clearly. If you get lost here, the whole structure of the passage starts to feel vague.

In this article, we will look at how to read Japanese demonstratives in a practical way so that you can stop guessing and start reading with confidence.

A demonstrative does not always point to the nearest noun

The first thing to remember is this: a demonstrative does not always refer to the nearest noun.

In many reading passages, a word like kore does not point to just one word. It may refer to:

• the whole previous sentence
• an idea explained across two or three sentences
• the speaker’s judgment or evaluation
• a specific example mentioned earlier

In other words, demonstratives often point not to a single word, but to a chunk of meaning.

Once you notice this, your reading becomes much more accurate.

Do not search for a word. Search for a unit of meaning

When you see a demonstrative, do not immediately hunt for one noun to match it with.

Instead, ask yourself: what idea is being summarized here?

Example 1

In recent years, ideas about work have started to change in Japan. More people now value not only salary, but also personal time and opportunities for growth. These changes are also affecting the way companies recruit.

In this example, “these changes” does not refer to one nearby noun. It refers to the broader idea that:

• attitudes toward work are changing
• more people value time and growth, not only money

This is the key. Demonstratives often summarize earlier content.

“Kore,” “sore,” and “are” have tendencies, but context matters more

In Japanese education, these words are often explained like this:

• kore: close to the speaker
• sore: close to the listener
• are: distant from both

That basic explanation is useful, but in reading comprehension, physical distance is usually not the main issue. Context matters much more.

A practical way to think about them in reading is this:

Kore

Often points strongly to the topic currently being discussed.

Sore

Often refers back to something previously mentioned, sometimes with a little more distance or objectivity.

Are

More common in conversation or shared context, and a bit less common in formal reading passages.

Still, do not apply these rules mechanically. In reading questions, the real answer comes from the flow of the passage.

The expression after the demonstrative often gives you a clue

If a demonstrative feels unclear, look at what comes after it.

For example:

• This is an important point.
• That is the problem.
• That was a major change.

In these patterns, the writer gives an evaluation right after the demonstrative.

So instead of asking only “What does this refer to?”, it helps to ask:

• What is considered important?
• What is called a problem?
• What is described as a major change?

Then go back and find the earlier content that matches that evaluation.

This is often much more effective than trying to identify the reference word by word.

In exams, look for paraphrase, not just repetition

A very useful exam skill is to see demonstratives as paraphrasing devices.

Imagine a passage says:

• people are concentrating in big cities
• job opportunities are shrinking in rural areas
• young people are leaving their hometowns

Then the next sentence says:

“If this kind of situation continues, local communities will become difficult to maintain.”

Here, “this kind of situation” is a paraphrase of the three earlier points together.

Writers do not keep repeating the same long explanation. They summarize it. Demonstratives are one of the main tools they use.

That is why, when you see a demonstrative, it helps to ask:
Which earlier part is being restated here in a shorter form?

Common mistakes learners make

There are some very common habits that lead to wrong answers.

1. Looking only at the nearest noun

If you only look at the nearest word, you may miss the fact that the demonstrative refers to a whole idea.

2. Looking back only one sentence

Sometimes the reference stretches across two or more sentences.

3. Relying only on grammar rules

Basic rules about kore, sore, and are are helpful, but in reading, context always comes first.

Demonstratives are also signals that the writer is organizing the passage

There is another way to look at this.

Demonstratives are not only difficult points. They are also helpful signals.

After explaining something in detail, a writer often uses expressions like:

• this point
• that reason
• this kind of idea
• that result

These expressions show that the writer is summarizing and moving forward.

So if you can follow demonstratives well, you can also understand the structure of the passage more easily.

Fast readers are not just reading quickly. They are good at spotting these signals.

A simple 3-step method you can use in the exam

Here is a practical method you can use right away.

Step 1

When you find a demonstrative, look back not only at the previous phrase, but at least one or two sentences.

Step 2

Check what comes after the demonstrative, especially if it contains evaluation, conclusion, or explanation.

Step 3

Choose the most natural chunk of meaning, not just the nearest word.

This alone can change your reading from vague guessing to evidence-based understanding.

Final thoughts

Words like kore, sore, and are feel difficult when you treat them as isolated vocabulary items.

But in real reading, they are tools for referring back to earlier meaning. They help the writer connect ideas, summarize information, and guide the reader through the text.

If you want more stable reading scores, it is not enough to memorize vocabulary and grammar. You also need to get used to how Japanese builds connections across sentences.

At RJT, learners can work on reading, grammar, vocabulary, and listening together in one flow. With tools like a pop-up dictionary, audio support, answer-time tracking, and learning logs, it becomes easier to move beyond passive understanding and build practical reading skill.

If demonstratives often slow you down, start paying attention to how they connect ideas in real passages. Your score can improve not only through knowledge, but through better reading habits.