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

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
  
Sometimes you don't need 的 (de) to indicate possession.
+
Sometimes you don't need 的 (de) to indicate certain especially close relationships.
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== 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:
  
* A close personal relationship (family and close friends)
+
* A close personal relationship (family, close friends, boyfriends/girlfriends)
* An institutional or organizational relationship
+
* An institutional or organizational relationship (school, work)
  
In these cases 的 '''should be''' omitted (that is, it doesn't sound as natural if you put it in).
+
In these cases 的 '''should be''' omitted (that is, it doesn't sound as natural if you leave it in).
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 妈妈 每天 都 做饭。<span class="trans">My mom cooks everyday.</span>
+
* 这 是 家。<span class="trans">This is my home.</span>
* 这 是 我 女朋友 <span class="trans">This is my girlfriend</span>
+
* 这 是 我 女朋友 <span class="trans">This is my girlfriend.</span>
 +
* 我 妈妈 每天 都 做饭。<span class="trans">My mom cooks every day.</span>
 
* 我们 学校 很 大。<span class="trans">Our school is big.</span>
 
* 我们 学校 很 大。<span class="trans">Our school is big.</span>
* 这 是 我 家。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我们 公司 在 西安。<span class="trans">Our company is in Xi'an.</span>
* 我们 公司 在 陆家嘴。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 他 爸爸 是 我们 公司 的 老板。<span class="trans">His dad is the boss of our company.</span>
* 他 爸爸 是 我们 公司 的 经理。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 你 姐姐 很 难看 。<span class="trans">Your older sister is ugly.</span>
* 你 桌子 上 的 东西 真乱。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 还 有 个 妹妹 。<span class="trans">I also have a little sister at home.</span>
* 我 还有 块 巧克力。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 他们 儿子 很 有名。<span class="trans">Their son is really famous.</span>
* 他们 团队 很 有名。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
+
* 我 女儿 会 走 了。<span class="trans">My daughter can walk now.</span>
* 我 女儿 会 走 了。<span class="trans">TRANSLATION</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>

Revision as of 09:53, 16 September 2013

Sometimes you don't need 的 (de) to indicate certain especially close relationships.

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, close friends, boyfriends/girlfriends)
  • An institutional or organizational relationship (school, work)

In these cases 的 should be omitted (that is, it doesn't sound as natural if you leave it in).

Examples

  • 这 是 我 家。This is my home.
  • 这 是 我 女朋友 This is my girlfriend.
  • 我 妈妈 每天 都 做饭。My mom cooks every day.
  • 我们 学校 很 大。Our school is big.
  • 我们 公司 在 西安。Our company is in Xi'an.
  • 他 爸爸 是 我们 公司 的 老板。His dad is the boss of our company.
  • 你 姐姐 很 难看 。Your older sister is ugly.
  • 我 家 里 还 有 一 个 妹妹 。I also have a little sister at home.
  • 他们 儿子 很 有名。Their son is really famous.
  • 我 女儿 会 走 了。My daughter can walk now.

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