Meaning
こちら, そちら, and あちら are polite counterparts of ここ, そこ, and あそこ and can also indicate a direction or person.
Formation
- Polite counterparts of こっち・そっち・あっち: エレベーターはこちらです
- They also introduce a person politely: こちらは田中さんです
When to use it
- Core use
- Politely indicates a direction, place, or person
Examples
17 sentences-
あちらの入口から入ってください
Please enter through the entrance over there.
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エレベーターはこちらです
The elevator is this way.
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受付はそちらです
The reception desk is that way, near you.
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食堂はあちらです
The cafeteria is over there.
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こちらは田中さんです
This is Mr. Tanaka.
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お手洗いはどちらですか
Which way is the restroom?
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出口はこちらです
The exit is this way.
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図書館はこちらです
The library is this way.
9 more examples
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駅はそちらです
The station is that way, near you.
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公園はあちらです
The park is over there.
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郵便局はこちらです
The post office is this way.
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病院はそちらです
The hospital is that way, near you.
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美術館はあちらです
The art museum is over there.
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あちらの方はどなたですか
Who is that person over there?
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そちらは今何時ですか
What time is it where you are now?
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お国はどちらですか
Which country are you from?
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コーヒーと紅茶とどちらがいいですか
Which would you like, coffee or tea?
Important notes
- こちら・そちら・あちら are the polite versions of ここ・そこ・あそこ and こっち・そっち・あっち, and they also introduce people: こちらは田中さんです.
Common mistakes
- Do not introduce a person with これ: こちらは田中さんです, not これは田中さんです.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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