Expressing close possession without "de"

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

Structure

pronoun + Noun

Normally possession is expressed with the particle 的 (de). However, in some cases you can omit 的 (de). 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 (de) 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.
  • 她 妈妈 很 漂亮。Her mom is very beautiful.
  • 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 很大 。My house is very big.
  • 他们 儿子 很 有名。Their son is really famous.
  • 我 女儿 会 说 英语。My daughter can speak English.

If 的 (de) 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