の and this/that words
Build noun phrases in the right order.
の links a modifying noun to the noun after it: 私の本, my book; 日本語の本, a Japanese-language book. Ownership is only one of several relationships の can express.
これ, それ, and あれ stand alone. この, その, and あの must precede a noun. In a basic physical situation, the こ-series is near the speaker, the そ-series near the listener, and the あ-series away from both.
Examples
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- これkorethis thing
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- わたしのwatashinomy私 means “I”; の connects the owner to the following noun.
- ほんhonbook
- です。desuis (polite)
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- そのsonothat (before a noun)
- かばんkabanbag
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- だれのdarenowhose誰 means “who”; の marks the ownership relationship.
- ですdesuis (polite)
- か。kaquestion markerMakes this a question. English may change its word order or add an auxiliary instead.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- あのひとanohitothat person over thereあの points to something away from both speakers; 人 means “person”.
- はwatopic markerPronounced wa. Marks what the following comment is about; it is not the word “is”.
- せんせいsenseiteacher
- です。desuis (polite)
Keep in mind
Use この本, not これ本. Learn the demonstrative together with the construction it belongs in.