こちら・そちら・あちら・どちら – Japanese Cheat Sheet

こちら・そちら・あちら・どちら are the polite equivalents of ここ/そこ/あそこ/どこ. But they do more than just point at places: they're used to refer to people politely, to talk about your side vs. the other side, and どちら is the go-to word for choosing between exactly two options.

Tap a card to highlight its examples below.

1. Pointing a direction (politely)

The most straightforward use, like ここ/そこ/あそこ but more formal. You'll hear this from staff at hotels, restaurants, and shops.

こちらへどうぞ。This way, please. (staff guiding you)

出口でぐちはあちらになります。The exit is over there. (polite announcement)

お手洗おてあらいはそちらです。The restroom is that way.

2. Referring to people politely

One of the most important uses. Instead of pointing at someone with この人 (which can feel rude), you use こちら. This is the standard way to introduce someone.

こちらは田中たなかさんです。This is Tanaka-san. (introducing someone beside you)

あちらが部長ぶちょうの山田やまださんです。That person over there is our manager, Yamada-san.

Avoid: この人は田中さんです when introducing someone; it sounds blunt. こちらは is the polite standard.

3. "Our side" vs "your side"

In phone calls and formal correspondence, こちら means "our company / my side" and そちら means "your company / your side". Very common in business Japanese.

こちらは問題もんだいありません。On our end, there's no problem.

そちらのご都合つごうはいかがですか？How is your schedule? (lit. "how is the convenience on your side?")

そちらは株式会社かぶしきがいしゃ〇〇様でしょうか？Am I speaking with [Company Name]? (phone opening)

4. どちら: choosing between exactly two

This is one of the most important distinctions for learners. どちら = "which of the two?" while どれ = "which one?" (from three or more). Using どれ when there are only two options sounds unnatural.

どちら (two options)

紅茶こうちゃとコーヒー、どちらがいいですか？

Tea or coffee, which do you prefer?

どれ (three or more)

ケーキはどれにしますか？

Which cake will you have? (from a selection)

電車でんしゃとバス、どちらで来きましたか？Did you come by train or bus?

A と B、どちらが正ただしいですか？Which is correct, A or B?

5. どちら as a polite "where"

どちら can replace どこ in polite questions about origin or location. It sounds much more refined than どこ in formal contexts.

ご出身しゅっしんはどちらですか？Where are you from? (polite; much better than どこ出身ですか？)

どちらからいらっしゃいましたか？Where have you come from? (honorific)

The big picture: こちら/そちら/あちら/どちら always carry a polite, formal tone. In daily casual speech with friends, you'd switch to こっち/そっち/あっち/どっち see the casual sheet for that.