Differences between this and that? I'm studying Japanese with a book called "Living Language Japanese Essential". It is an excellent book, but I am very confused about something that they failed to explain. For example, here's what they put in the book: this　これ that (far away from the speaker but close to the listener) それ that (far away from both the speaker and the listener) あれ this pen (close to the speaker) このペン that pen (far from the speaker but close to the listener) そのペン that pen (far from both the speaker and the listener) あのペン My question is, why is the Japanese of this/that used differently when talking about a pen? Is the difference between this/that different when it comes to object? I'm very confused, and would greatly appreciate an explanation. Thank you!