あの

About

あの, or "that (noun) over there", is a so-called 「こそあど」word. あの'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 あの and the noun it modifies. In this case, the adjective(s) and noun are considered a "noun phrase", and あの's usage does not change.

あの and other こそあど words that start with あ refer to things far from both the speaker and listener.

Summary

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  あの is a こそあど word meaning "that (noun) over there".

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  あの refers to things that are far from both the speaker and listener.

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  あの'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 あの and the noun it modifies.