そんな・こんな・あんな・どんな

These demonstratives are used to talk about things or situations that are distant in perception or in context from the speaker. こんな refers to something close to the speaker, そんな to something near the listener or recently mentioned, and あんな to something far from both speaker and listener. どんな is used to ask about the kind or nature of something. They modify nouns (and can stand in phrases like こんなこと) to convey impressions such as “this kind of …,” “that kind of …,” or “what kind of …?” Often used to contrast with what is expected or to express evaluation, surprise, or emphasis.