Use の to build and understand simple Japanese sentences. の links two nouns; in the first sentence it shows that the book belongs to the speaker.
The idea
の links two nouns; in the first sentence it shows that the book belongs to the speaker. The first noun can also describe the second: here it specifies a book in Japanese, not an owner. In a location phrase, の connects the desk to the position word meaning “above”.
| Phrase | Continuation |
|---|---|
| 私の | 本 |
| 日本語の | 本 |
| 机の | 上 |
Examples
- 私の本は机の上にあります。My book is on the desk.
- 日本の車です。It is a Japanese car.
- 先生のかばんです。It is the teacher’s bag.
- 日本語の本を買います。I buy a Japanese-language book.
- 友達の猫は元気です。My friend’s cat is well.
- これは日本の本です。This is a book from Japan.
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Watch out
The second noun is the main thing, and the first describes it. の can express origin, category or other relations, not only ownership.
Try it yourself
私＿本です。（の／を）
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の
の links two nouns; in the first sentence it shows that the book belongs to the speaker.
日本語＿本を買います。（の／に）
Show answer or example answer
の
The first noun can also describe the second: here it specifies a book in Japanese, not an owner.
机＿上にあります。（の／を）
Show answer or example answer
の
In a location phrase, の connects the desk to the position word meaning “above”.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
私＿本です。（の／を）
日本語＿本を買います。（の／に）
机＿上にあります。（の／を）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two Japanese sentences using の. Explain what each means, then compare the forms with the examples.