その

Etymology 1
→ * →

From, distal demonstrative root, with added to form the ordinary adnominal form 'that', as in 'that word', as opposed to the pronoun.

Adnominal

 * 1)  that ... near you (near the addressee)
 * 2)  the ... we are talking about.
 * 3) ...of it; its; their
 * 1) ...of it; its; their

Usage notes

 * Sono is anaphorically used to refer to things and experiences that either the speaker or the listener knows about, but not both. Compare the two following sentences:
 * The hiragana spelling is preferred to the kanji spelling, which is rarely used.
 * The hiragana spelling is preferred to the kanji spelling, which is rarely used.
 * The hiragana spelling is preferred to the kanji spelling, which is rarely used.

Interjection

 * 1)  uh, umm, er