あの

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Japanese [edit]

Adnominal [edit]

あの (kanji 彼の, romaji ano)

  1. (deictically) that ... over there (far from the speaker and the addressee)
    あの車は緑です。
    Ano kuruma wa midori desu.
    That car over there is green.
  2. (anaphorically) that ... we both know (both the speaker and the addressee know)

See also [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Usage notes [edit]

  • あの is also used to refer to things and experiences that both the speaker and the listener have knowledge of. Compare the two following sentences,
    あの本はやすいですか?
    Is that book (over there, which you and I can see) cheap?
    その本はやすいですか?
    Is that book (I'm pointing to/near you/of yours) cheap?
    Is that book which you (have/saw/were talking about) cheap?
  • The hiragana spelling (あの) is preferred to the kanji spelling (彼の), which is rarely used.

Interjection [edit]

あの (romaji ano)

  1. Similar to English er, said when hesitating in speech.
  2. Similar to English uh, space filler or pause during conversation.
    あの

Related terms [edit]

Usage notes [edit]

The (no) sound is often lengthened as in あのう, あのぉ, or あのー (anō)