こちら・そちら・あちら・どちら (kochira / sochira / achira / dochira) — this way / that way / over there / which way (polite)
The polite version of ここ／そこ／あそこ／どこ — for both direction and place.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
Use them in shops, hotels, offices or with people you do not know: トイレはこちらです (The toilet is this way).
Meaning
- こちら／そちら／あちら／どちら also mark places and directions.
- The distance rule is the same: こちら = this way (near me), そちら = that way (near you), あちら = over there (far), どちら = which way / which (question).
- どちら also asks "which one?" of two things.
Versus what you know
They sound much politer than ここ／そこ.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
トイレはこちらです。
toire wa kochira desu.
The toilet is this way.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) トイレ ──> [ + は ] ──> トイレは ──> polite "this way" ➔ こちら ──> [ + です ] ──> トイレはこちらです.
エレベーターはあちらです。
erebeetaa wa achira desu.
The elevator is over there.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) エレベーター ──> [ + は ] ──> far away, polite ➔ あちら (over there) ──> [ + です ] ──> エレベーターはあちらです (the elevator is over there).
えきはどちらですか。
eki wa dochira desu ka.
Which way is the station?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) えき ──> [ + は ] ──> a polite question ➔ どちら (which way) ──> [ + ですか ] ──> えきはどちらですか (which way is the station?).
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
What is the polite form of どこ?
💡 Hint: The one used in shops and offices.
The polite form of どこ is どちら.
How do you say "The toilet is this way" (polite)?
💡 Hint: You need the polite "this way."
こちら = polite "this way." トイレはこちらです.
Politely, which is correct for "Which way is the station?"
💡 Hint: Place + the polite question word.
えきはどちらですか = polite "Which way is the station?"
Your score: /3