Translation guide
The genitive case in English expresses possession, association, or a relationship between two nouns. Japanese does not have a case system like English; instead, it uses the particle の (no) to link nouns, along with other structures depending on the meaning.
How do you say 'genitive case' in Japanese?
Linguistic term, rarely used in daily conversation.
How do you express possession?
Use the particle の between nouns.
Indicate that something belongs to someone or something.
The particle の links two nouns, where A possesses B. This is the most common way to express the genitive in Japanese.
This is my book.
Tanaka's car is new.
Show a relationship between two entities, such as a person and their school, company, or family member.
の also expresses non-possessive relationships, like 'my friend' or 'the company's president'.
Describe a characteristic, type, or material of something.
の can connect a descriptive noun to another noun, similar to 'of' or an adjective in English.
This is a wooden desk.
Express that something is a part of a larger whole, or the content of something.
の indicates that B is a part or member of A, like 'the leg of the table' or 'a group of students'.
Specify a location or time in relation to something else.
の can connect a location or time word to a noun, like 'Tokyo's weather' or 'today's news'.
Clarify or rename a noun, like 'the city of Kyoto' or 'the problem of pollution'.
の can be used where two nouns refer to the same thing, often translated as 'of' or an appositive in English.
Show the subject or object of an action within a noun phrase, like 'the arrival of the train' or 'the love of music'.
When B is a verbal noun (like 到着 'arrival' or 愛 'love'), の can mark the subject or object, depending on context.
Refer to something belonging to someone without repeating the noun, like 'mine' or 'Tanaka's'.
The particle の can be used without a following noun when the noun is understood from context, similar to English possessive pronouns.
This is mine.
While の is versatile, long chains of の can sound awkward. Try to rephrase or use alternative structures when possible.
My friend's mother's car
He is my friend.
That person is the company's president.
He is an English teacher.
The leg of the desk broke.
A group of students came.
How is Tokyo's weather?
Did you read today's newspaper?
The city of Kyoto is beautiful.
The problem of pollution is serious.
I'm waiting for the arrival of the train.
The love of music is universal.
Is that umbrella Tanaka's?
In relative clauses, の can sometimes replace が to mark the subject, especially in formal or written Japanese. This is a remnant of classical Japanese genitive usage.
The book I wrote
The book I wrote