Everything about the particle [の] in Japanese

In this article, we will talk about everything you need to understand about the particle no [の] in the Japanese language and its many functions beyond indicating possession [that something belongs to something].

WHAT is the particle no [の] for?

Many believe that the particle no [の] is one of the easiest in the Japanese language. Its main function is to indicate that one thing belongs to another, replacing in Portuguese “do, de, meu, minha, nosso, seu, sua” and other prepositions or articles that indicate that something belongs to something else.

However, the function of the particle no [の] goes far beyond that. We can list the following functions of the Japanese particle:

• Indicate possession;
• Nominalize verbs and adjectives;
• Transform verbs into nouns;
• Indicate an apposition (union);
• Indicate the object in subordinate clauses replacing ga [が];
• Indicate a conclusion;
• Indicate emotional emphasis;
• Indicate a modified pronoun
• Indicate a question or inquiry;
• Used to soften a command;
• Can mean no (English no) if written in katakana;

Not to mention other functions that the particle no [の] can perform when fused with another particle such as in the case of noni [のに], node [ので], monono [ものの], nomi [のみ], dano [だの] and node [のです];

Using the particle no [の] to indicate possession

The most popular function of the particle no [の], as mentioned several times, is to connect nouns and words to indicate that something belongs to another. The simplest examples are:

• Watashi no kazoku [私の家族] – My family;
• Kebin no kuruma [ケビンの車] – Kevin’s car;
• Gakkou no sensei [学校の先生] – School teacher;
• Anata no biishiki [あなたの美意識] – Your sense of beauty;
• Suzume no namida [雀の涙] – Sparrow’s tears;
• Ago no hone [顎の骨] – Jawbone;
• Dorama no naka [ドラマのなか] – In (the middle of) the drama;
• Bokura no kankei [ボクらの関係] – Our relationship;
• Mirai no Kuruma [未来の車] – Car of the future;
• Watashi no inu [私の犬] – My dog;
• Watashi no pasokon [私のパソコン] – My computer;
• Konpyuuta no gakkou [コンピュータの学校] – Computer of the school;
• Tokyo no chikatetsu [東京の地下鉄] – Tokyo subway;
• Kankoshi no ane [看護師の姉] – Nurse’s sister;
• Watashi no piano [私のピアノ] – My piano;
• Anata no geemu [あなたのゲーム] – Your game;
• Gakkou made no kyori [学校までの距離] – Distance to school;

I think the examples above show how simple it is to unite and indicate that something belongs to another using the particle no [の]. Things can get complicated when we try to connect more than two things. The sentences below will help you understand this:

彼は私たちの学校の先生です。
kare wa watashitachi no gakkou no sensei desu.
He is our school teacher.
He is a teacher at our school.

In the first example, we have the particle no [の] referring to 3 interconnected things. Notice that the pronoun is the first to use the particle no [の], followed by the location and the profession.

これは私の日本語の本です
Kore wa watashi no nihongo no hon desu
This is my Japanese book. 

In this example, we can see that first comes the pronoun, followed by the characteristic and the object of possession. Below we have a picture that explains more about the structure of the particle:

First, we have the pattern which is any noun [S1 + の + S2] that can extend to [S1 + の + S2 + の + S3]. In the blue boxes, we have some predefined examples that help understand the order of each type of noun.

To finish, let’s see one last example:

私の友人の山田君を紹介します。
Watashi no yuujin no yamadakun wo shoukai shimasu. 
I introduce my friend Yamada.

In this example, we have the use of the particle no [の] as possession and also as an equalizer. We will learn more about equalization in the next topic.

Using the particle no [の] with verbs

See some examples of verbs being used together with the particle no [の] to indicate possession. In this case, the sentences are subordinate and the particle no conveys the idea of a subject marker.

ユキの買った本
Yuki no katta hon
The book that Yuki bought

彼の作ったケーキはおいしかった。
Kare no tsukutta keeki wa oishikatta.
The cake he made was delicious

日本人の知らない日本語
Nihonjin no shiranai nihongo
The Japanese that Japanese people do not know

What exactly is a subordinate clause? Notice that the above sentence can be divided into two sentences. The cake he made and delicious cake. Making one depend on the other. Subordinate clauses are dependent phrases that perform a function over the other.

The particle no [の] appeared exactly because it was something he did. There is a noun (cake) that was made and belongs to the pronoun (he). It’s as if “made cake” were the noun or possession of the sentence.

Attention, the particle no [の] can only be used in the case above if a direct object is not present. Simplifying, when there is no particle wo [を].

Transforming verbs into nouns with no [の]

Another function of the particle no [の] with verbs is to nominalize them. By using the particle no [の] after a verb, you kind of transform it into a noun. See the sentences below:

• Utau no ga suki [歌うのが好き] – I like to sing;
• Odoru no ga kirai [踊るのが嫌い] – I hate to dance;
• Asobuno wa omoshiroi [遊ぶのは面白い] – It is interesting to play;
• Taberu no ga daisuki [食べるのが大好き] – I love to eat;

泳ぐのはお母さんの趣味だ。
Oyogu no wa okaasan no shumida.
Swimming is my mother's hobby. 

The above sentence shows the particle transforming a verb into a noun and then being used as a possessive particle. Some people even believe that noga [のが] is a particle, but it is just the conjunction of the particle [の] with [が] or [は].

We have previously written an article that talks exactly about transforming nouns with the particle no [の]. If you want to read our article click here to learn more about no and koto.

Using the particle no [の] with adjectives

Many people claim the possibility of joining the particle no [の] with an adjective of both types [い] and [な], is this really possible? A single Japanese word can be a noun, verb, and adjective.

We need to understand that Japanese works differently from our language. Not always an adjective or noun in Japanese is considered the same thing in Portuguese. So the answer to this question will depend on the point of view.

The great truth is that all words used with the particle no [の] are nouns, even if they describe or give the impression of being an adjective. See some example sentences below:

• Fukutsu no hito [不屈の人] – Unyielding person;
• Himitsu no tokoro [秘密の所] – Secret place (mysterious);
• Tokubetsu no chiryou [特別の治療] – Special treatment;
• Takusan no kukkii [たくさんのクッキー] – Many cookies;
• Eien no ai [永遠の愛] – Eternal love (of eternity);

All the sentences above have an adjective, but not always the meaning is that of an adjective. For example, takusan can mean abundant, but in the above sentence, it conveyed the idea of many, since it is also a noun.

There are situations where we may not always know how to differentiate or translate a sentence, in the case of eternal love, it could mean love of eternity. The interpretation depends on our knowledge and the second noun.

Fortunately, not all [な] adjectives can be used with the particle [の]. So it is unlikely that we will have confusion in understanding whether that sentence refers to an adjective or noun.

We use the particle [の] to transform nouns into adjectives that often do not exist in the form [な] or [い]. In cases where the noun serves as an adjective, the pronoun usually comes after the particle no [の].

Some sentences mentioned above could simply be used with [な] or [い]. When to know which to use? Only time will clarify this doubt, but we can say that [な] conveys more the idea of a “quality” while [の] is something more binary.

Some dictionaries like jisho, categorize words as being adjectives of the type [の]. This can help avoid confusion.

Attention: Some people make the mistake of joining [い] adjectives with nouns using the particle no [の]. Adjectives in the i [い] form do not need any particle to connect with a noun.

Using the particle no [の] to equalize

You can use the particle no [の] to equalize, that is, to describe the relationship between two nouns. Thus, we can assign a description without wanting to say that something belongs to another. It’s like transforming nouns into adjectives.

The difference is that we will place the pronoun after the particle no [の] instead of before. The examples below will help to understand what I am trying to say:

• Shachou no Kebin-san [社長のケビンさん] – President Kevin;
• Tomodachi no Yamadasan [友達の山田さん] – My friend Yamada;
• Sensei no Yamada [先生の田中] – Teacher Tanaka;
• Aka no pen [赤のペン] – Red pen;
• Yuki no shirosa [雪の白さ] – White snow;
• Sarariiman no chichi [サラリーマンの父] – Salaryman father;
• Kuruma no Toyota [車のトヨタ] – Toyota car;

Of course, these examples are just alternatives to say. I could simply say Tanaka Sensei or Kevin Sanchou as a suffix. It is worth remembering that this is not always possible; just be attentive to the most common forms of expression and the occasions they are used.

It is curious to note that the equalization examples we saw above use many nouns that are also adjectives of the type [い].

Using the particle no [の] in questions

The particle no [の] can be used to emphasize issues, questions, and the end of some sentences. I think the best way to exemplify this is by using the sentences below:

• Kuruma nano? [車なの？] – Is this a car?
• Mou, tabetano? [もう、食べたの？] – Have you eaten yet?
• Doushitano? [どうかしたの？] – What happened? What was it?
• Nani wo kangaeteruno? [何を考えてるの？] – What are you thinking about?
• Mada ikiteiruno? [まだ生きているの?] – Are you still alive?
• Ikuno? [行くの?] – Are you going? or Shall we go?
• Gakkou ni ikunoka [学校に行くのか] – Are you going to school?

Some of the sentences above can also be finished with the particle ka [か] which indicates a question. Or you can simply use both together creating a noka [のか].

What is the difference between using or not using [の] at the end of questions? One of the reasons is that this particle conveys a strong sense of curiosity, improves the intonation and emphasis in the question.

どこの関節がはずれたの？
Doko no kansetsu ga hazureta no? 
Where did the joints dislocate? 

Using no [の] at the end of sentences

The particle is not only used to ask questions, but it has other uses at the end of the sentence. Women tend to use this particle to indicate a conclusion, give emotional emphasis, soften a command, etc.

The truth is that the particle [の] at the end of sentences is not something exclusive to women or feminine as some think. Sentences with the particle [の] at the end are commonly used by children and even by men in some situations.

The best way to understand the utility of the particle [の] at the end of sentences is with some examples:

• Sou na no yo [そうなのよ] – That’s right!
• Shiranakattano [知らなかったの] – I didn’t know;
• Kyoto e ikimasuno [京都へ行きますの] – I am going to Kyoto;
• Ookina koe dasanai no [大きな声出さないの] – Don’t raise your voice;
• Natsukashii nou [懐かしいのう] – I miss you;
• Chisaino [小さいの] – Small;

As mentioned, this particle conveys emotional emphasis. In the case of men who are more rough and determined, they know different and better alternatives to finish sentences.

The main cases where [の] is considered something feminine is when it is followed by [です] or [ます]. When used in imperative sentences or ending in [くの] and [たの], it is normal for men to say it too.

If you have doubts about whether a sentence with [の] is feminine or not, just read it; if you sound effeminate, then look for a more masculine alternative.

ディズニーランドに行きたいの。
Dizunīrando ni ikitai no.
I want to go to Disney. 

コナンくんが大好きなの〜〜〜
Konan kun ga daisuki na no〜〜〜
I love Conan. 

It was really difficult to write this long article. I hope you enjoyed it and that it has answered all your questions regarding the particle no [の]. If you liked it, don’t forget to share and leave your comments.