の: possessive / linking particle is a JLPT N5 grammar point. Links two nouns: possession or description (“X's Y”). Structure: [Nom 1] の [Nom 2]. This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.

の: possessive / linking particle

Structure

[Nom 1] の [Nom 2]

Explanation

の connects two nouns. Most often it shows possession (“my book”), but it also links a noun that describes another. The owner/describer comes first: A の B = the B of A.

Examples

This is my book.

(She) is a Japanese teacher.

Quiz preview

  • の ✓
  • は
  • が
  • を

の links two nouns to show possession: “my book.”

  • の ✓
  • は
  • を
  • に

の links two nouns: “a car of Japan” → a Japanese car.

More N5 grammar points

は: topic particleを: object particleに: time / destination particleが: subject particleで: place of action / means〜たい: wanting to do〜てください: please do…あります / います: existence〜ましょう: let'sも (“also / too”)と (“and / with”)へ: direction particleか: question particleこれ・それ・あれ: this / that〜ないでください: please don't〜がすきです: to likeAのほうがBより: comparison

See all N5 points →

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