JLPT N5 grammar · Conjunctions & Questions

[Noun] の [Noun]: meaning, usage and examples

[Noun] の [Noun] means: (particle indicating possession or modification).

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

Examples

1. 今日きょうの新聞しんぶん

   today's newspaper

2. これは私わたしのかばんです。

   This is my bag.

3. 日本語にほんごの先生せんせいはやさしいです。

   My Japanese teacher is kind.

4. 駅えきの前まえで待まっています。

   I’m waiting in front of the station.

5. 東京とうきょうの大学だいがくで勉強べんきょうしています。

   I study at a university in Tokyo.

When to use it

の links two nouns. Common uses: possession (私わたしの本ほん = my book), material (木きの机つくえ = wooden desk), category (日本語にほんごの先生せんせい = Japanese language teacher).

Nuance

の is extremely versatile. It can nominalize verbs too: 食たべるのが好すき = I like eating.

Compare

が (subject). の (genitive/modification). が→の is allowed in relative clauses.

Tip: の can replace が in relative clauses: 私わたしが行いく場所ばしょ = 私わたしの行いく場所ばしょ (the place where I go).

More on this in Japanese particles.