Near, intermediate, distant

Demonstratives — forms, syntax and usage

وَاعْلَمْ: أَنَّ «ذَا» لِلْقَرِيبِ، وَ«ذَلِكَ» لِلْبَعِيدِ، وَ«ذَاكَ» لِلْمُتَوَسِّطِ.
Translation: In the author’s scheme, dhā marks the near referent, dhālika the distant one, and dhāka an intermediate distance.

This is the three-distance scheme used by the text. Actual usage varies with context; learn the book’s contrast first.