その

About

その, or "that (noun)", is a so-called 「こそあど」word. その's set of こそあど words includes この, その, あの, and どの. This こそあど set is comprised of noun modifiers, rather than pronouns. This means that they must always attach to a noun, and have no meaning on their own.

Adjectives may come in between その and the noun it modifies. In this case, the adjective(s) and noun are considered a "noun phrase", and その's usage does not change.

その and other こそあど words that start with そ refer to things near the listener. Or, if the listener and speaker are close together, they refer to things a short distance away from both people.

Summary

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  その is a こそあど word meaning "that (noun)".

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  その refers to things near the listener, or a short distance away if the listener and speaker are close together.

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  その's set of こそあど words have no meaning on their own and must attach to a noun.

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  Sometimes adjectives will come in between その and the noun it modifies.