の
Possession / Noun Linker
no
TypeCase
JLPT Leveln5
Summary
Links nouns together showing possession, attribution, or description. Also used for nominalization and in relative clauses.
Usage Rules
- •Possession: AのB = B of A, A's B
- •Attribution: 日本の車 (Japanese car)
- •Apposition: 友達の田中さん (Tanaka, who is a friend)
- •Nominalization: 〜の makes a clause into a noun
- •Replaces が in relative clauses: 髪の長い人
Example Sentences
わたしの本です。
This is my book.
日本のぶんかにきょうみがある。
I'm interested in Japanese culture.
これは大きいのがほしい。
I want the big one.
えきに行くのをわすれた。
I forgot to go to the station.
あかいのがすきです。
I like the red one.
Common Mistake
Using の as a subject marker in main clauses (の replaces が only in relative clauses).