Meaning
Marks possession, type, or relation.
Formation
- N1 + の + N2, the modifier comes first: 日本語の本
- Chains are fine: 田中さんの日本語の本
When to use it
- Core use
- Marks possession, type, or relation
Examples
13 sentences-
これは日本語の本です
This is a Japanese-language book.
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田中さんのかばんです
It is Mr. Tanaka's bag.
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駅の前の店でパンを買いました
I bought bread at the shop in front of the station.
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父の鍵を借りました
I borrowed my father's key.
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田中さんは日本語の先生です
Mr. Tanaka is a teacher of Japanese.
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これは友達の本です
This is my friend's book.
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父の傘を借りました
I borrowed my father's umbrella.
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机の上の本を取ってください
Please pass me the book on the desk.
5 more examples
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これは日本の車です
This is a Japanese car.
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木の机を買いました
I bought a wooden desk.
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去年の夏は暑かったです
Last summer was hot.
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父のかばんを借りました
I borrowed my father's bag.
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田中さんのお兄さんは医者です
Mr. Tanaka's older brother is a doctor.
Important notes
- の links two nouns, and the modifying noun comes first: 日本語の本 (a Japanese-language book / a book about Japanese), 私の本 (my book). Links can be chained: 田中さんの日本語の本.
Common mistakes
- Do not add の after an i-adjective or a verb before a noun: 新しい本, 昨日買った本. A na-adjective takes な: 静かな町.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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