Japanese word

の

Pronunciation

Romajino

Meaning

  • particle's

Example

これは私の本です。ko re wa watashi no hon de su

This is my book.

Illustration for の ('s)

More examples

あれは先生のかばんです。a re wa sen sei no ka ba n de su

That is the teacher's bag.

東京の大学で勉強します。tō kyō no dai gaku de ben kyō shi ma su

I study at a university in Tokyo.

Core concept

Marks the first noun as the possessor or other related element that specifies the following noun.

Common phrases

  • あなたの名前a na ta no na mae

    your name

  • 英語の先生ei go no sen sei

    English teacher

  • 家族の写真ka zoku no sha shin

    family photo

Definition in Japanese

前の名詞が後の名詞を所有することや、そこに関係することを示す助詞。mae no mei shi ga ato no mei shi o sho yū su ru ko to ya so ko ni kan kei su ru ko to o shime su jo shi

Word origin

The particle の (no, "genitive marker") is a native Japanese form recorded as a genitive particle in Old Japanese, while its deeper origin remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the English ending 's, の (no) follows the possessor and can connect relationships beyond ownership.

Word lists with this word