こんな, そんな, あんな or どんな

こんな, そんな, あんな mean 'this kind of' or 'such a' and always modify a noun, either directly or with an adjective in between: こんなかばん (a bag like this), こんなおいしい料理 (such delicious food).

• こんな: like this, near me or in my present situation
• そんな: like that, near you, or like what you have just said (そんなことを言わないでください。 Please don't say such a thing.)
• あんな: like that over there, away from both of us, or something we both know
• どんな: what kind of? (どんな音楽が好きですか。 What kind of music do you like?)

Compare このかばん (this very bag) with こんなかばん (a bag like this one). Before an adjective you can also use the adverb form こんなに, そんなに, あんなに (so). The reply そんなことはありません means 'not at all' and is the polite answer to a compliment. そんな and あんな can sound critical, so use them with care about people.