In Japanese, there are ways to say, ‘this, that and that over there’

This – kore (これ). Refers to things that are close to the speaker.

That – sore (それ). Refers to things that are close to the person you are talking to.

That over there – are (あれ). Refers to things that are far away from both you and the speaker.

Sample sentences:

Kore wa hon des (これは　ほん　です) This is a book (when the book is close to you, the speaker)

Sore wa hon des (それは　ほん　です) That is a book (when the book is close to the person you are talking to)

Are wa hon des (あれは　ほん　です) That over there is a book (when the book is far away from you and the other person)

Let’s say you want to be more specific. Imagine you are at a book store and there are many books. How do you refer to a specific book? Perhaps you are pointing to a specific book or holding a specific book. Then in this case you’d use:

kono hon (この　ほん) This book (in particular)

sono hon (その　ほん) That book (in particular)

ano hon (あの　ほん) That book over there (in particular)

Sample Sentences:

kono hon wa takai des (この　ほんは　たかいです) This book is expensive (when the book is close to you)

sono hon wa takai des (その　ほんは　たかいです) That book is expensive (when the book is close to the other person)

ano hon wa takai des (あの　ほんは　たかいです) That book over there is expensive (when the book is far away from the speaker and the other person)