2.3 Possession with 的 (de)

The particle 的 (de)

的 (de) shows possession or modification, like English 's or 'of': 我的书 (wǒ de shū) = my book, 老师的名字 = the teacher's name.

Dropping 的

With close relationships, 的 is often dropped: 我妈妈 (wǒ māma) = my mom, 我们学校 = our school. It stays for objects: 我的电脑 = my computer.

Modifying nouns

的 also links a description to a noun: 漂亮的花 (piàoliang de huā) = pretty flowers, 我买的书 = the book I bought. The modifier comes before 的.

Key terms

的 (de)

possession/modification particle ('s, of)

我的书

wǒ de shū — my book

Dropping 的

often dropped for family: 我妈妈 (my mom)

Modifier + 的 + noun

漂亮的花 — pretty flowers

Word order

possessor/modifier comes before 的

Try an AP-style question

"我的书" means…

1. I book
2. our books
3. my book
4. book of mine is