Difference between revisions of "Expressing close possession without "de""

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== Structure ==
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Normally [[Expressing possession|possession]] is expressed with the [[particle]] 的. However, in some cases you can omit 的. This happens when the possession is about:
 
Normally [[Expressing possession|possession]] is expressed with the [[particle]] 的. However, in some cases you can omit 的. This happens when the possession is about:
  

Revision as of 06:51, 14 May 2012

Structure

Normally possession is expressed with the particle 的. However, in some cases you can omit 的. This happens when the possession is about:

  • A close personal relationship (family and close friends)
  • An institutional or organizational relationship

In these cases 的 should be omitted (that is, it's not just optional - it'll sound odd if you put it in).

Some examples:

  • 我 妈妈。
  • 我 女朋友。
  • 我们 学校。
  • 他 爸爸。

If 的 was used in the above examples, it would create a sense of distance between the two, and imply that the relationship is not particularly close.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books