Grammar: first steps › Lesson 7
Linking owner and thing with の
"A no B" expresses "B belonging to A" or "B related to A".
Key points
A no B
"Watashi no hon" means "my book". の shows that the first word owns, or is attached to, the second.
More than ownership
It also expresses a type or field, as in 日本語の先生 (a Japanese-language teacher).
Examples
- これはわたしの本です。Kore wa watashi no hon desu.This is my book.
- それは先生のペンです。Sore wa sensei no pen desu.That is the teacher's pen.
- あの人は日本語の先生です。Ano hito wa nihongo no sensei desu.That person is a Japanese teacher.
- これはわたしのかばんではありません。Kore wa watashi no kaban deha arimasen.This is not my bag.
A small tip
You can drop the second word when it is clear: "Watashi no desu" means "It is mine."
Check yourself
1. What does "watashi no hon" mean?
の links owner and thing.
2. What does "sensei no pen" mean?
"Sensei no pen" is "the pen the teacher has".
3. What does の express in 日本語の先生?
の can also show a field.
This lesson was checked on 2026.11.08. Translations are a learning guide.
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