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

Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
 +
 +
Sometimes you don't need 的 (de) to indicate possession.
 +
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  

Revision as of 08:32, 28 January 2013

Sometimes you don't need 的 (de) to indicate possession.

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 possibly even imply that the relationship is not particularly close.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books