名词A1

的 for Possession

Using 的 (de) to show possession and modify nouns

Learning Goal

I can express possession and modify nouns using 的

Exam Skills:HSK 1 ReadingHSK 1 Writing

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

这是我的老师。

This is my teacher.

妈妈的手机是新的。

Mom's phone is new.

她是我妈妈。

She is my mom.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

的字用法 — The Particle 的

The particle 的 (de) connects a modifier to a noun, most commonly showing possession.

StructureExampleMeaning
Pronoun + 的 + Noun我的书 wǒ de shūmy book
Noun + 的 + Noun妈妈的车 māma de chēmom's car
Adj + 的 + Noun红的花 hóng de huāred flower

Omission rule: With close relationships, 的 can be dropped: 我妈妈 (my mom), 我家 (my home). For longer modifiers, 的 is required.

Learners overuse or underuse 的. Close relationship nouns (我妈妈) drop 的, but possessive pronouns with other nouns need it (我的老师). 🇬🇧 English speakers: English uses 's (John's book) or 'of' — 的 works similarly but always follows the possessor: 约翰的书 (John de book). 🇩🇪 German speakers: German uses genitive case (Johanns Buch) — Chinese simply adds 的, no case inflection needed.

Common Error Patterns

Omitted 的 where required

Use 的 between possessor and noun except for close family: 我的书 (my book), but 我妈妈 (my mom)

Used 的 with close family members where it should be omitted

With close family, drop 的: 我妈妈 (not 我的妈妈 in casual speech)

这是我的老师。

This is my teacher.

我的老师 (wǒ de lǎoshī) — possessor + 的 + noun. 'My teacher'.

妈妈的手机是新的。

Mom's phone is new.

妈妈的手机 (māma de shǒujī) — noun + 的 + noun shows possession between two nouns.

她是我妈妈。

She is my mom.

我妈妈 (wǒ māma) — with close family, 的 is dropped. Compare: 我的老师 (teacher — not close, 的 required).

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course
← Back to topics

Put it into practice

Try a free exercise from the course