あれ

(3 entries)
Alternative writings: , 彼れ
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

that; that thing (indicating something distant from both speaker and listener, or something understood without naming it)

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

あれは昨日買った本です。

That (over there) is the book I bought yesterday.

あれを見てください。面白いものがあります。

Look at that. There's something interesting.

2

that person (used to refer to someone of equal or lower status; can sound informal or impolite)

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

あれは田中さんだよ。いつも遅刻するんだ。

That's Tanaka. He's always late.

彼が来たら、あれに言っておいてください。

When he comes, tell him (that person).

3

then; that time (referring to a particular time in the past)

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

あれは高校生のときのことだ。

That was when I was in high school.

あれがあったから、今の僕がある。

Because of that (event), I am who I am now.

4

that place (over there) — used like 'that' to indicate a distant location

PronounUsually Kana

Examples

あれは私の生まれた町だ。

That (over there) is the town where I was born.

あれへ行けば、駅がありますよ。

If you go there, you'll find the station.

5

colloquial euphemism for 'down there' (the genitals)

NounColloquialEuphemisticUsually Kana

Examples

子どもが痛がっていたので、『あそこを見せて』と医者に言った。

The child was in pain, so I told the doctor 'show me down there'.

彼女は恥ずかしそうにあれのことを話した。

She spoke about that down-there matter bashfully.

6

colloquial euphemism for a woman's period (menstruation)

NounColloquialEuphemisticUsually Kana

Examples

今日はあれだから、少し休ませてください。

It's that time (period) today, so please let me rest a bit.

彼女はあれで体調が優れないと言っていた。

She said she wasn't feeling well because of her period.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Antonym