N1のN2 (noun modifier, membership/relationship)

の connects two nouns to indicate belonging, relationship, or specification.

N5Grammar Point

Meanings & Usage

1

N2 of N1

2

the N2 which belongs to N1

3

N2 bound to N1

The particle の is used to connect two nouns (N1 and N2). The structure is:

N1のN2

Here, N1 modifies or describes N2. In English, it often corresponds to "'s", "of", or an adjective-like relation.

Possession:
- 私の本 = my book
- 田中さんの車 = Tanaka’s car
Relationships:
- 日本の会社 = a Japanese company (company of Japan)
- 東京の大学 = university in Tokyo
Specification/Category:
- コンピューターの部品 = computer part
- 経済の本 = an economics book

👉 Note: の has a wider use than "of" in English. It indicates not only possession but also origin, category, and descriptive relations.

📌 Form:

1

私の本です。Original

This is my book.

2

山田さんのかばんは大きいです。Original

Yamada’s bag is big.

3

日本の文化はおもしろいです。Original

Japanese culture is interesting.

4

学生の本を読みます。Original

I read the student’s book.