Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Possession with XのY
One of the first jobs of の is possession. In beginner Japanese, XのY often means “Y of X” or “X's Y,” depending on what sounds natural in English.
Target signal
わたしのほん
my book
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- わたし
- I; me
- ほん
- book
- の
- of; 's
Compare in context
たなかさんのかばん
Tanaka's bag
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
- たな
- shelf
Compare in context
せんせいのノート
the teacher's notebook
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- ノート
- notebook
- の
- of; 's
Section 2 of 3
の also links noun ideas
の does not only show possession. It can also link two nouns to show place, category, relationship, or belonging. Read the whole phrase before translating it into English.
Target signal
がっこうのせんせい
the school teacher
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- せんせい
- teacher
- こう
- like this; this way
Preview
がっこうのとしょかん
the school library
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- こう
- like this; this way
- か
- question marker; or
Preview
としょかんのほん
the library book
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ほん
- book
- か
- question marker; or
- と
- and; with; that
Section 3 of 3
Read the full noun phrase first
In full sentences, の often creates a chunk inside a larger sentence. Read that noun phrase first, and then connect it to the rest of the line.
Target signal
これはわたしのほんです。
This is my book.
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- わたし
- I; me
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
あれはたなかさんのかばんです。
That over there is Tanaka's bag.
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- あれ
- that over there
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
Preview
そのほんはとしょかんのほんです。
That book is a library book.
Notice how Possession and Linking with の shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- その
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ほん
- book