JLPT N5 grammar · Core Particles & Actions

~の: meaning, usage and examples

~の means: used in place of a noun, one's.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. この辞書じしょは私わたしのです。

   This dictionary is mine.

2. 赤あかいのと青あおいのと、どちらがいいですか。

   Which is better, the red one or the blue one?

3. このかさは山田やまださんのですか。

   Is this umbrella Ms. Yamada's?

4. もっと大おおきいのをください。

   A bigger one, please.

When to use it

The particle の can replace a noun when the thing is already clear. 私わたしの can mean "mine": この本ほんは私わたしのです = this book is mine. After an adjective it means "the ... one": 赤あかいの = the red one, 静しずかなの = the quiet one. Use it in shops and when choosing between things.

Nuance

Used in casual and polite speech, and very common in shops: 大おおきいのをください. It only works when the listener knows what thing you mean. For people, use 人ひと instead: 背せが高たかい人ひと, not 背せが高たかいの.

Compare

Noun の vs Noun の Noun: 私わたしの本ほん = my book; 私わたしの = mine (the noun 本ほん is left out because it is clear). Adjective の vs adjective + noun: 赤あかいかばん = a red bag; 赤あかいの = the red one. With な-adjectives, keep な: きれいなの, not きれいの.

Tip: If you would say "one" or "mine / yours" in English, の is probably the word you need.