1.12 The Particle の (Possession & Noun Linking)

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Overview

Learn how the particle の connects nouns in Japanese. It is commonly used to show possession and describe relationships between things.

The particle の connects nouns in Japanese.

The basic pattern is: X の Y

Y is the main noun. X describes, limits, or explains Y.

の is commonly used for possession, but it also expresses material, origin, type, and other relationships.

Multiple nouns can be linked naturally using の.

When the noun is clear from context, の can replace it. In this case, の works like “mine” or “his” in English.

This is Taro’s room. In the room, there is Taro’s desk.

That desk is a wooden desk. On the desk, there is a book from a Japanese company.

That book is Taro’s friend’s older brother’s book. The friend is a student.

This bag is Taro’s. That one is the friend’s.

Title	Description
の	noun-linking particle (“of”, “’s”)

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