Japanese Lesson 13: The Particle "の" to Indicate Possession 1

Japanese Lessons

The Particle "の" to Indicate Possession (Kore/Sore/Are は Noun1 の Noun2 です)

nihongo sentence - particle no as possesion

This time, we’re still learning about the particle "の" (No), but we’ll focus on how to express possession using the sentence pattern これ/それ/あれ + は + Noun1 の Noun2 + です. Let’s explore this topic in detail!

The Function of "の" for Possession

In Japanese, the particle "の" is often used to indicate possession. It helps you connect two nouns to show ownership or relationship. For example, if you want to say "my bag," you simply add no after the pronoun watashi (I/me).

Sentence Pattern

The pattern is the same as before:

これ/それ/あれ + は + Noun1 の Noun2 + です

Here:

これ/それ/あれ (kore/sore/are): Demonstratives meaning "this," "that near you," and "that over there."
Noun1: Indicates the owner.
Noun2: Indicates the item owned.
です (desu): The copula, meaning "is."

This structure translates to: "This/that is Noun2 belonging to Noun1."

Example Sentences

Kanji: これは田中さんのペンです。
Hiragana: これはたなかさんのペンです。
Romaji: Kore wa Tanaka-san no pen desu.
Meaning: This is Tanaka’s pen.

Kanji: それは私の時計です。
Hiragana: それはわたしのとけいです。
Romaji: Sore wa watashi no tokei desu.
Meaning: That is my watch.

Kanji: あれは兄の車です。
Hiragana: あれはあにのくるまです。
Romaji: Are wa ani no kuruma desu.
Meaning: That is my older brother’s car.

Study Tips

Memorize personal pronouns like watashi (I) and anata (You).
Use this pattern to practice talking about your belongings or others’.
Don’t worry about making mistakes; practicing helps you improve.

With this pattern, you’ll be able to confidently express ownership in Japanese. Start using it in your conversations today!