JLPT N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “このとき・そのとき・あのとき”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “このとき・そのとき・あのとき”
2. When Referring to a Close Time or a Specific Scene
3. Referring to a Slightly Distant Time
4. Referring to a Past Time
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “そのとき” and “あのとき”?
Can you explain why “あのとき、ベルが鳴りました” is incorrect?
A: The expressions “このとき” (this time), “そのとき” (that time), and “あのとき” (that time in the past) are used differently depending on temporal and psychological distance, as well as context.
・”このとき”: Refers to the present time or a moment just before from the speaker’s perspective.
・”そのとき”: Refers to a past time that both the speaker and listener share a common understanding of.
・”あのとき”: Refers to a past time that feels distant to both the speaker and the listener.
Therefore, in the sentence “あのとき、ベルが鳴りました”, if the speaker and listener do not share a common recognition of that specific moment, the sentence may sound unnatural.
When Referring to a Close Time or a Specific Scene
[Key Points]
① Referring to a moment just before: Indicates a time close to the speaker, referring to a moment immediately before a certain point in time.
② Describing an event within a story: Used to refer to a specific moment when an event occurs within the flow of a conversation.
③ Emphasizing a past moment: Used when highlighting a specific time in a past event.
[Examples]
テレビで有名な起業家を見て、このとき私も起業しようと思いました。(①)
When I saw a famous entrepreneur on TV, at that moment, I thought, “I should start my own business too.”
子どもが車にひかれかけました。このとき、男の人が走って助けに行きました。(②)
A child was about to be hit by a car. At that moment, a man ran over and saved them.
「わぁ、お父さんが子どものときの写真？ このとき、何歳ぐらい？」(③)
“Wow, is this a picture of you when you were a child, Dad? How old were you at that time?”
Just like in example ③, “このとき” is often used when emphasizing a specific moment in the past.
Referring to a Slightly Distant Time
“そのとき” is different from “このとき” as it refers to a slightly distant time from the speaker’s perspective, both temporally and psychologically.
[Key Points]
① Refers to a time mentioned in the conversation or a time the listener is referring to.
② Refers to a specific moment when an event occurs (the exact timing of the event).
③ Represents a time that is neither too far nor too close for the speaker.
[Examples]
地震が来たそのとき、すぐに机の下に逃げました。(①)
When the earthquake struck, at that moment, I immediately took shelter under the desk.
A「昨日のコンサートは大成功だったよ！ たくさん拍手をもらったんだ。」(①)
B「そのときの気持ちは最高だったでしょ？」
A: “Yesterday’s concert was a huge success! I received a lot of applause.”
B: “You must have felt amazing at that moment, right?”
もうこの試合は負けだろうと思いました。そのとき、選手が見事なゴールを決めました。(②)
I thought this match was already lost. At that moment, a player scored a spectacular goal.
駅に着いたそのとき、ちょうど電車が出発してしまいました。(③)
Just as I arrived at the station, at that moment, the train departed.
“そのとき” is used in the flow of a conversation to indicate a slightly earlier or slightly distant time.
Referring to a Past Time
“あのとき” differs from “このとき” and “そのとき” as it refers to a past time that feels distant to the speaker both temporally and psychologically.
[Key Points]
① Refers to a past time that feels distant to the speaker both in terms of time and emotion.
② Refers to a past time that both the speaker and listener share a common recognition of.
[Examples]
(子どもの頃の話をしながら）
あのときは、まだ山や川など自然がたくさんあったよ。(①)
Back then, there were still plenty of mountains, rivers, and nature.
(過去の出来事について話しながら）(②)
A「ねえ、あのときのこと覚えてる？」
B「あのとき？」
A「みんなで海に花火を見に行ったこと！」
B「あのときね！ あのときは楽しかったね！」
A: “Hey, do you remember that time?”
B: “That time?”
A: “When we all went to the beach to watch the fireworks!”
B: “Oh, that time! That time was so much fun!”
“あのとき” is used when looking back on a distant past event or when both the speaker and listener share a memory of a past event.
Let’s Compare
So, which is more appropriate: “そのとき、ベルが鳴った” or “あのとき、ベルが鳴った”?
In fact, both can be used depending on the speaker’s emotions and the context.
[Example①]
教室へ入ろうとしました。そのとき、ベルが鳴りました。
I was about to enter the classroom. At that moment, the bell rang.
⇒ In this case, it refers to the immediate moment before entering the classroom, so “そのとき” is appropriate.
[Example②]
警察：「事故があった時間は何時ぐらいか覚えていませんか？」
女性：「はっきり覚えていませんが…あ、確か、あのとき学校のベルが鳴りました。」
Police: “Do you remember about what time the accident happened?”
Woman: “I don’t remember exactly… Oh, I think back then, the school bell rang.”
⇒ In this case, the woman is recalling a past memory that she does not remember clearly, so “あのとき” is more natural because it conveys both psychological and temporal distance.
Summary
[このとき]
- ① Refers to a time close to the speaker, often immediately before the moment being discussed.
- ② Used to describe an ongoing event within the flow of a conversation.
- ③ Used to emphasize a specific moment in a past event.
[そのとき]
- ① Refers to a time mentioned in the conversation or the time the listener is referring to.
- ② Refers to a specific moment in time.
- ③ Represents a time that is neither too far nor too close for the speaker.
[あのとき]
- ① Refers to a time that feels distant to the speaker, both temporally and psychologically.
- ② Indicates a past time that both the speaker and listener recognize as a shared memory.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. あのとき
遠い昔の話なので、あのときのことは忘れてしまいました。
Since it was a story from a long time ago, I have forgotten that time.
*The speaker is referring to a distant past event, so “あのとき” is the correct choice.
A. そのとき
ジョン「25歳のとき、カナダを旅行したんだ」
ゆみ「へえ、そのときどの町に行ったの？」
John: “When I was 25, I traveled to Canada.”
Yumi: “Oh, at that time, which city did you visit?”
*The conversation refers to a time mentioned by the other person, so “そのとき” is the correct choice.
A. そのとき
彼がプロポーズしてくれて、そのときすぐに返事をしました。
He proposed to me, and at that moment, I gave him my answer immediately.
*This refers to a specific moment in time, so “そのとき” is appropriate.
A. あのとき
マリア「3年前のみちこちゃんの結婚式、覚えてる？」
かな「もちろん。あのときみんなでみちこちゃんのためにビデオを作ったよね」
Maria: “Do you remember Michiko’s wedding three years ago?”
Kana: “Of course! Back then, we all made a video for her, right?”
*Since both speakers share a common memory of a past event, “あのとき” is the appropriate choice.
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