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

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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 妈妈。 <span class="trans">my mom</span>
+
* 我 妈妈。 <span class="trans">My mom</span>
* 我 女朋友。 <span class="trans">my girlfriend</span>
+
* 我 女朋友。 <span class="trans">My girlfriend</span>
* 我们 学校。 <span class="trans">our school</span>
+
* 我们 学校。 <span class="trans">Our school</span>
* 他 爸爸。 <span class="trans">his dad</span>
+
* 他 爸爸。 <span class="trans">His dad</span>
  
 
</div>
 
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Revision as of 03:42, 28 January 2013

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 doesn't sound as natural if you put it in).

Examples

  • 我 妈妈。 My mom
  • 我 女朋友。 My girlfriend
  • 我们 学校。 Our school
  • 他 爸爸。 His dad

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