Introduction
In our previous post on “koko/soko/asoko/doko,” we learned how to ask for and give the location of an item. Now, we’ll dive into describing the location of one item relative to another, like “X is in front of Y.”
What It Means
Describing locations involves using specific words to explain where something is in relation to something else. In Japanese, this structure is often “XはYのZです” (X wa Y no Z desu), where Z is the location word, meaning “X is [location word] Y.”
Here are some common location words and their positions in sentences:
- 右 (みぎ): to the right of
XはYの右です。
(X wa Y no migi desu.)
X is to the right of Y. - 左 (ひだり): to the left of
XはYの左です。
(X wa Y no hidari desu.)
X is to the left of Y. - 前 (まえ): in front of
XはYの前です。
(X wa Y no mae desu.)
X is in front of Y. - 後ろ (うしろ): behind
XはYの後ろです。
(X wa Y no ushiro desu.)
X is behind Y. - 中 (なか): inside
XはYの中です。
(X wa Y no naka desu.)
X is inside Y. - 上 (うえ): on/above
XはYの上です。
(X wa Y no ue desu.)
X is on/above Y. - 下 (した): under/beneath
XはYの下です。
(X wa Y no shita desu.)
X is under/beneath Y. - 近く (ちかく): near
XはYの近くです。
(X wa Y no chikaku desu.)
X is near Y. - 隣 (となり): next to
XはYの隣です。
(X wa Y no tonari desu.)
X is next to Y. - 間 (あいだ): between
XはYとZの間です。
(X wa Y to Z no aida desu.)
X is between Y and Z.
When You Use It
You use these words to describe the precise location of one item relative to another.
Examples:
- レストランはあのホテルの前です。
(Resutoran wa ano hoteru no mae desu.)
The restaurant is in front of that hotel. - スターバックスは図書館のとなりです。
(Sutaabakkusu wa toshokan no tonari desu.)
Starbucks is next to the library. - かばんはテーブルのしたです。
(Kaban wa teeburu no shita desu.)
The bag is under the table. - レストランはホテルと病院の間です。
(Resutoran wa hoteru to byouin no aida desu.)
The restaurant is between the hotel and the hospital.
Note
- そば (soba): Another word for “near,” commonly used like 近く (chikaku).
- となり (tonari) vs. よこ (yoko):
“Tonari” is used when two people, buildings, or places are next to each other. “Yoko” is used more broadly for things that are beside each other, not just people, buildings, or places. - You can use these location words with verbs to describe where an event happens. To do this, you need the particle で (de).
私はデパートの前でマリアさんを待ちました。
(Watashi wa depaato no mae de Maria-san o machimashita.)
I waited for Maria in front of the department store.
Conclusion
Understanding how to describe where things are in relation to each other helps you navigate and explain locations more accurately in Japanese.
