n1 の n2

“N1 の N2” is one of the most fundamental and versatile grammar patterns in Japanese. The particle “の” (no) connects two nouns to show various relationships between them.

Basic Structure

The pattern consists of:

• N1 (first noun)
• の (no) particle
• N2 (second noun)

The resulting phrase functions as a noun, with N2 as the main noun and N1 modifying it.

Core Meanings and Uses

1. Possession/Ownership
   • 私の本 (watashi no hon) = my book
   • 田中さんの車 (Tanaka-san no kuruma) = Tanaka’s car
2. Belonging/Affiliation
   • 日本の会社 (Nihon no kaisha) = Japanese company
   • 大学の学生 (daigaku no gakusei) = university student
3. Composition/Material
   • 木の椅子 (ki no isu) = wooden chair
   • プラスチックのボトル (purasuchikku no botoru) = plastic bottle
4. Location/Origin
   • 東京の天気 (Tōkyō no tenki) = Tokyo’s weather
   • 山の上 (yama no ue) = top of the mountain
5. Characteristic/Attribute
   • 赤いの (akai no) = the red one
   • 大きいサイズの靴 (ōkii saizu no kutsu) = shoes of large size
6. Time/Duration
   • 今日の会議 (kyō no kaigi) = today’s meeting
   • 三時間の映画 (san-jikan no eiga) = three-hour movie

Important Points to Remember

1. Multiple “の” can be chained together:
   • 私の友達の家 (watashi no tomodachi no ie) = my friend’s house
2. “の” can sometimes be replaced by “な” when used with certain na-adjectives:
   • 静かな部屋 (shizuka na heya) instead of 静かの部屋 (shizuka no heya) = quiet room
3. “の” can stand in for a noun that was previously mentioned:
   • 赤い車と青いの (akai kuruma to aoi no) = the red car and the blue one

🔸 Tip:

When in doubt, try translating N1 の N2 as:

“N2 of N1” or “N1’s N2“
Then adjust to make it natural in English.