Koko, Soko, Asoko, and Doko: Point to Places

Use ここ, そこ, and あそこ for places, and どこ to ask where. These words name a location, but the following particle still depends on the sentence: ここにいます, ここで勉強します, ここから行きます.

Formation and use

In the basic spatial model, ここ is here by the speaker, そこ is there by the listener, and あそこ is over there away from both. Ownership is not the deciding factor.

Use に for the location of existence and で for the setting of an activity: ここに本があります, ここで本を読みます. A pointing word does not remove the need to choose the right particle.

Comparisons and common errors

ここは図書館です identifies the place. 図書館はどこですか asks where the library is; 図書館はどこにありますか is a fuller location question.

こちら・そちら・あちら・どちら can be more polite or indicate direction, but どちら also has a two-choice meaning. Do not replace words without checking context.

Practise with explanations

Try the 10 questions below, or open the practice set. Check each answer or the whole set, read the explanation, and retry mistakes. First-attempt results are kept separately on this device.

Connected lessons

• Ni and De
• Kore, Sore, Are, and Dore: Point to Things
• Kara and Made: Starting and Ending Points