In Mandarin Chinese, the English preposition "of" does not have a single direct equivalent. Instead, it is expressed through various grammatical constructions depending on the specific relationship being described. The most common way to express possession or association (as in "the book of the teacher") is through the particle 的 (de), but other constructions are also used for different meanings of "of."
Definition: In English, "of" is a preposition used to indicate relationships including possession, origin, composition, partitive relationships, and association. In Mandarin Chinese, these relationships are expressed through: -
的 (de) - possessive/descriptive particle -
之 (zhī) - classical possessive particle -
Word order changes -
Specific measure words -
Other grammatical constructions
Q: What does "of" mean in Mandarin Chinese? A: The English word "of" is expressed in Mandarin Chinese through various constructions, most commonly using the particle 的 (de) for possession and description. Other patterns include using measure words for quantities, specific word orders for origin, and different particles for various relationships.
This lesson will demonstrate 15 different ways that English "of" relationships are expressed in Mandarin Chinese, including possessive constructions, partitive expressions, material composition, origin statements, and descriptive relationships. Each example will show natural Mandarin sentence structures with detailed word-by-word glossing.
Subject: Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Language Pair: English to Mandarin Chinese Topic: Grammar - Expressing "of" relationships Institution: Latinum Institute Material Type: Self-study Reading Lesson
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English "of" has no single equivalent in Mandarin Chinese -
The particle 的 (de) is the most common way to express possession -
Different constructions are used for different meanings of "of" -
Word order in Chinese often differs from English possessive constructions -
Understanding context is crucial for choosing the correct construction
5.1a 老师 teacher 的 ('s/of) 书 book 在 is-at 桌子 table 上 on 5.1b lǎoshī (lao-shr) teacher de (duh) possessive shū (shoo) book zài (dzai) is-at zhuōzi (jwoh-dzuh) table shàng (shahng) on
5.2a 一 one 杯 cup 茶 tea 的 (possessive) 价格 price 是 is 五 five 元 yuan 5.2b yī (ee) one bēi (bay) cup chá (chah) tea de (duh) possessive jiàgé (jyah-guh) price shì (shr) is wǔ (woo) five yuán (ywen) yuan
5.3a 这 this 是 is 木头 wood 的 (made-of) 桌子 table 5.3b zhè (juh) this shì (shr) is mùtou (moo-toh) wood de (duh) material-marker zhuōzi (jwoh-dzuh) table
5.4a 他 he 是 is 我 my 朋友 friend 的 ('s) 哥哥 older-brother 5.4b tā (tah) he shì (shr) is wǒ (woh) my péngyou (pung-yoh) friend de (duh) possessive gēge (guh-guh) older-brother
5.5a 今天 today 的 ('s) 天气 weather 很 very 好 good 5.5b jīntiān (jin-tyen) today de (duh) possessive tiānqì (tyen-chee) weather hěn (hun) very hǎo (how) good
5.6a 她 she 买 bought 了 (completed) 三 three 本 (measure) 书 books 5.6b tā (tah) she mǎi (my) bought le (luh) completed sān (sahn) three běn (bun) classifier shū (shoo) books (Note: "three of the books" uses measure word, not 的)
5.7a 城市 city 的 ('s) 中心 center 有 has 一 one 个 (measure) 公园 park 5.7b chéngshì (chung-shr) city de (duh) possessive zhōngxīn (johng-shin) center yǒu (yoh) has yī (ee) one ge (guh) classifier gōngyuán (gohng-ywen) park
5.8a 百分之 percent- 八十 eighty 的 (genitive) 学生 students 通过 passed 了 (completed) 考试 exam 5.8b bǎifēnzhī (bye-fun-jr) percent bāshí (bah-shr) eighty de (duh) genitive xuésheng (shweh-shung) students tōngguò (tohng-gwoh) passed le (luh) completed kǎoshì (kao-shr) exam
5.9a 他们 they 是 are 北京 Beijing 人 people 5.9b tāmen (tah-mun) they shì (shr) are Běijīng (bay-jing) Beijing rén (run) people (Note: "people of Beijing" expressed by word order)
5.10a 这 this 件 (measure) 丝绸 silk 的 (made-of) 衣服 clothes 很 very 贵 expensive 5.10b zhè (juh) this jiàn (jyen) classifier sīchóu (suh-choh) silk de (duh) material yīfu (ee-foo) clothes hěn (hun) very guì (gway) expensive
5.11a 我 I 喝 drank 了 (completed) 一半 half 的 (partitive) 咖啡 coffee 5.11b wǒ (woh) I hē (huh) drank le (luh) completed yībàn (ee-bahn) half de (duh) partitive kāfēi (kah-fay) coffee
5.12a 春天 spring 的 ('s) 花 flowers 开 bloom 得 (manner) 很 very 美 beautiful 5.12b chūntiān (choon-tyen) spring de (duh) possessive huā (hwah) flowers kāi (kai) bloom de (duh) manner hěn (hun) very měi (may) beautiful
5.13a 大部分 most 的 (genitive) 人 people 喜欢 like 这个 this 电影 movie 5.13b dàbùfen (dah-boo-fun) most de (duh) genitive rén (run) people xǐhuan (she-hwan) like zhège (juh-guh) this diànyǐng (dyen-ying) movie
5.14a 山 mountain 的 ('s) 顶 top 上 on 有 has 雪 snow 5.14b shān (shahn) mountain de (duh) possessive dǐng (ding) top shàng (shahng) on yǒu (yoh) has xuě (shweh) snow
5.15a 去年 last-year 的 ('s) 这个 this 时候 time 我 I 在 was-at 中国 China 5.15b qùnián (chew-nyen) last-year de (duh) possessive zhège (juh-guh) this shíhou (shr-hoh) time wǒ (woh) I zài (dzai) was-at Zhōngguó (johng-gwoh) China
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5.1 老师的书在桌子上。The teacher's book is on the table.
5.2 一杯茶的价格是五元。The price of a cup of tea is five yuan.
5.3 这是木头的桌子。This is a table (made) of wood.
5.4 他是我朋友的哥哥。He is the older brother of my friend.
5.5 今天的天气很好。Today's weather is very good.
5.6 她买了三本书。She bought three (of the) books.
5.7 城市的中心有一个公园。There is a park in the center of the city.
5.8 百分之八十的学生通过了考试。Eighty percent of the students passed the exam.
5.9 他们是北京人。They are people of Beijing.
5.10 这件丝绸的衣服很贵。This piece of silk clothing is very expensive.
5.11 我喝了一半的咖啡。I drank half of the coffee.
5.12 春天的花开得很美。The flowers of spring bloom beautifully.
5.13 大部分的人喜欢这个电影。Most of the people like this movie.
5.14 山的顶上有雪。There is snow on top of the mountain.
5.15 去年的这个时候我在中国。At this time of last year, I was in China.
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5.1 老师的书在桌子上。
5.2 一杯茶的价格是五元。
5.3 这是木头的桌子。
5.4 他是我朋友的哥哥。
5.5 今天的天气很好。
5.6 她买了三本书。
5.7 城市的中心有一个公园。
5.8 百分之八十的学生通过了考试。
5.9 他们是北京人。
5.10 这件丝绸的衣服很贵。
5.11 我喝了一半的咖啡。
5.12 春天的花开得很美。
5.13 大部分的人喜欢这个电影。
5.14 山的顶上有雪。
5.15 去年的这个时候我在中国。
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The English word "of" is expressed in Mandarin Chinese through several different constructions:
1. Possessive 的 (de) The most common way to express possession or association. The pattern is: Possessor + 的 + Possessed item Example: 老师的书 (teacher's book / book of the teacher)
2. Material Composition When describing what something is made of: Material + 的 + Object Example: 木头的桌子 (wooden table / table of wood)
3. Partitive Expressions For parts of a whole: Quantity/Portion + 的 + Whole Example: 一半的咖啡 (half of the coffee)
4. Origin by Word Order Place of origin is often expressed without 的: Place + 人 (person) Example: 北京人 (Beijing person / person of Beijing)
5. Measure Words for Quantities When expressing "some of" with specific quantities: Number + Measure Word + Noun (no 的 needed) Example: 三本书 (three books / three of the books)
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Overusing 的: English speakers often insert 的 where it's not needed, especially with measure words. Wrong: 三本的书 Right: 三本书 -
Wrong word order: Placing the possessor after the possessed item. Wrong: 书老师的 Right: 老师的书 -
Missing 的 in percentages: Forgetting 的 after percentage expressions. Wrong: 百分之八十学生 Right: 百分之八十的学生 -
Using 的 with origin: Adding unnecessary 的 with place of origin. Wrong: 北京的人 (when meaning "Beijinger") Right: 北京人 -
Confusing attributive and predicative uses: Using 的 in predicative positions. Wrong: 这个桌子是木头的的 Right: 这是木头的桌子
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Identify the relationship type (possession, material, description, etc.) -
Determine if 的 is needed (check the patterns above) -
Place elements in correct order: Modifier + 的 + Modified -
Check for exceptions (measure words, origin, etc.)
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的 functions as a possessive/attributive marker -
Word order is typically opposite to English: "X of Y" becomes "Y 的 X" -
Not all "of" relationships require 的 -
Context determines which construction to use -
的 can be omitted in some fixed expressions and with close relationships
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Understanding how Mandarin Chinese expresses relationships that English conveys with "of" provides insight into Chinese thinking patterns and cultural concepts.
Possession and Relationships In Chinese culture, relationships and connections are fundamental. The particle 的 not only indicates possession but also creates connections between concepts. This reflects the Chinese emphasis on relationships (关系 guānxì) in social and professional contexts.
Word Order and Thought Patterns The Chinese pattern of placing the possessor before the possessed (老师的书 "teacher's book") reflects a tendency to move from general to specific, or from known to new information. This differs from English patterns and represents different ways of organizing information.
Origin and Identity The way Chinese expresses origin (北京人 "Beijing person") without using 的 shows how place of origin is seen as an integral part of identity, not merely a possessive relationship. This reflects the strong connection between place and identity in Chinese culture.
Flexibility in Expression The various ways of expressing "of" relationships demonstrates the contextual nature of Chinese communication. Unlike English's more rigid prepositional system, Chinese relies heavily on context and conventional patterns.
Classical Influence The classical possessive particle 之 (zhī), though less common in modern spoken Chinese, still appears in formal writing and set phrases. This shows the continuing influence of classical Chinese on modern expression, particularly in educated or formal contexts.
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From "The Dream of the Red Chamber" (红楼梦) by Cao Xueqin:
"满纸荒唐言，一把辛酸泪。都云作者痴，谁解其中味。"
满 full 纸 paper 荒唐 absurd 言 words ， ， 一 one 把 handful 辛酸 bitter 泪 tears 。 。都 all 云 say 作者 author 痴 foolish ， ， 谁 who 解 understands 其中 within-it 味 flavor 。 。
mǎn (mahn) full zhǐ (jr) paper huāngtáng (hwahng-tahng) absurd yán (yen) words, yī (ee) one bǎ (bah) handful xīnsuān (shin-swan) bitter lèi (lay) tears. dōu (doh) all yún (yewn) say zuòzhě (dzwoh-juh) author chī (chr) foolish, shuí (shway) who jiě (jyeh) understands qízhōng (chee-johng) within-it wèi (way) flavor.
满纸荒唐言，一把辛酸泪。都云作者痴，谁解其中味。 "Pages full of absurd words, a handful of bitter tears. All say the author is foolish, who understands the flavor within."
满纸荒唐言，一把辛酸泪。都云作者痴，谁解其中味。
This passage demonstrates several ways Chinese expresses relationships that English would use "of" for: -
满纸荒唐言 - "full paper absurd words" = "pages full of absurd words" -
No 的 is used; the relationship is expressed through word order -
一把辛酸泪 - "one handful bitter tears" = "a handful of bitter tears" -
The measure word 把 creates the partitive relationship -
其中味 - "its-within flavor" = "the flavor of it/within it" -
其中 (within it) shows location/source without using 的
The passage shows how classical and literary Chinese often omits particles that would be required in modern spoken Chinese, relying on convention and context to express relationships.
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5.16a 我 my 妈妈 mother 的 ('s) 妹妹 younger-sister 是 is 医生 doctor 5.16b wǒ (woh) my māma (mah-mah) mother de (duh) possessive mèimei (may-may) younger-sister shì (shr) is yīshēng (ee-shung) doctor
5.17a 爷爷 grandfather 的 ('s) 老 old 房子 house 在 is-in 乡下 countryside 5.17b yéye (yeh-yeh) grandfather de (duh) possessive lǎo (lao) old fángzi (fahng-dzuh) house zài (dzai) is-in xiāngxià (shyang-syah) countryside
5.18a 孩子们 children 的 ('s) 玩具 toys 放 placed 在 at 柜子 cabinet 里 inside 5.18b háizimen (hai-dzuh-mun) children de (duh) possessive wánjù (wahn-joo) toys fàng (fahng) placed zài (dzai) at guìzi (gway-dzuh) cabinet lǐ (lee) inside
5.19a 她 she 是 is 我 my 表哥 cousin 的 ('s) 女朋友 girlfriend 5.19b tā (tah) she shì (shr) is wǒ (woh) my biǎogē (byao-guh) cousin de (duh) possessive nǚpéngyou (nyew-pung-yoh) girlfriend
5.20a 全家人 whole-family 的 ('s) 照片 photo 挂 hangs 在 on 墙 wall 上 on 5.20b quánjiārén (chwen-jyah-run) whole-family de (duh) possessive zhàopiàn (jao-pyen) photo guà (gwah) hangs zài (dzai) on qiáng (chyang) wall shàng (shahng) on
5.21a 爸爸 father 的 ('s) 朋友们 friends 来 came 参加 attend 生日 birthday 聚会 party 5.21b bàba (bah-bah) father de (duh) possessive péngyoumen (pung-yoh-mun) friends lái (lai) came cānjiā (tsahn-jyah) attend shēngrì (shung-rr) birthday jùhuì (joo-hway) party
5.22a 奶奶 grandmother 的 ('s) 手艺 craft 是 is 全 whole 村 village 最好 best 的 (nominalizer) 5.22b nǎinai (nai-nai) grandmother de (duh) possessive shǒuyì (show-ee) craft shì (shr) is quán (chwen) whole cūn (tsoon) village zuìhǎo (dzway-hao) best de (duh) nominalizer
5.23a 弟弟 younger-brother 的 ('s) 成绩 grades 让 let 父母 parents 很 very 高兴 happy 5.23b dìdi (dee-dee) younger-brother de (duh) possessive chéngjì (chung-jee) grades ràng (rahng) let fùmǔ (foo-moo) parents hěn (hun) very gāoxìng (gao-shing) happy
5.24a 姐姐 older-sister 的 ('s) 婚礼 wedding 在 at 春天 spring 举行 held 5.24b jiějie (jyeh-jyeh) older-sister de (duh) possessive hūnlǐ (hoon-lee) wedding zài (dzai) at chūntiān (choon-tyen) spring jǔxíng (joo-shing) held
5.25a 叔叔 uncle 的 ('s) 公司 company 有 has 很多 many 员工 employees 5.25b shūshu (shoo-shoo) uncle de (duh) possessive gōngsī (gohng-suh) company yǒu (yoh) has hěnduō (hun-dwoh) many yuángōng (ywen-gohng) employees
5.26a 小 little 侄女 niece 的 ('s) 画 drawing 得了 received 第一 first 名 place 5.26b xiǎo (syao) little zhínǚ (jr-nyew) niece de (duh) possessive huà (hwah) drawing déle (duh-luh) received dìyī (dee-ee) first míng (ming) place
5.27a 外公 maternal-grandfather 的 ('s) 故事 stories 总是 always 很 very 有趣 interesting 5.27b wàigōng (wai-gohng) maternal-grandfather de (duh) possessive gùshi (goo-shr) stories zǒngshì (dzohng-shr) always hěn (hun) very yǒuqù (yoh-chew) interesting
5.28a 堂妹 cousin 的 ('s) 大学 university 在 is-in 上海 Shanghai 5.28b tángmèi (tahng-may) cousin de (duh) possessive dàxué (dah-shweh) university zài (dzai) is-in Shànghǎi (shahng-hai) Shanghai
5.29a 儿子 son 的 ('s) 老师 teacher 说 says 他 he 进步 progressed 很 very 快 fast 5.29b érzi (er-dzuh) son de (duh) possessive lǎoshī (lao-shr) teacher shuō (shwoh) says tā (tah) he jìnbù (jin-boo) progressed hěn (hun) very kuài (kwai) fast
5.30a 女儿 daughter 的 ('s) 梦想 dream 是 is 成为 become 科学家 scientist 5.30b nǚ'ér (nyew-er) daughter de (duh) possessive mèngxiǎng (mung-shyang) dream shì (shr) is chéngwéi (chung-way) become kēxuéjiā (kuh-shweh-jyah) scientist
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5.16 我妈妈的妹妹是医生。My mother's younger sister is a doctor.
5.17 爷爷的老房子在乡下。Grandfather's old house is in the countryside.
5.18 孩子们的玩具放在柜子里。The children's toys are placed in the cabinet.
5.19 她是我表哥的女朋友。She is my cousin's girlfriend.
5.20 全家人的照片挂在墙上。The whole family's photo hangs on the wall.
5.21 爸爸的朋友们来参加生日聚会。Father's friends came to attend the birthday party.
5.22 奶奶的手艺是全村最好的。Grandmother's craft is the best in the whole village.
5.23 弟弟的成绩让父母很高兴。Younger brother's grades make parents very happy.
5.24 姐姐的婚礼在春天举行。Older sister's wedding will be held in spring.
5.25 叔叔的公司有很多员工。Uncle's company has many employees.
5.26 小侄女的画得了第一名。Little niece's drawing received first place.
5.27 外公的故事总是很有趣。Maternal grandfather's stories are always very interesting.
5.28 堂妹的大学在上海。Cousin's university is in Shanghai.
5.29 儿子的老师说他进步很快。Son's teacher says he has progressed very quickly.
5.30 女儿的梦想是成为科学家。Daughter's dream is to become a scientist.
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5.16 我妈妈的妹妹是医生。
5.17 爷爷的老房子在乡下。
5.18 孩子们的玩具放在柜子里。
5.19 她是我表哥的女朋友。
5.20 全家人的照片挂在墙上。
5.21 爸爸的朋友们来参加生日聚会。
5.22 奶奶的手艺是全村最好的。
5.23 弟弟的成绩让父母很高兴。
5.24 姐姐的婚礼在春天举行。
5.25 叔叔的公司有很多员工。
5.26 小侄女的画得了第一名。
5.27 外公的故事总是很有趣。
5.28 堂妹的大学在上海。
5.29 儿子的老师说他进步很快。
5.30 女儿的梦想是成为科学家。
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Family terms in Chinese extensively use 的 to show relationships and possession. Key patterns include:
1. Family Member + 的 + Object/Attribute Example: 爸爸的朋友 (father's friends) This is the standard possessive construction for family relationships.
2. Multiple Levels of Possession Example: 我妈妈的妹妹 (my mother's younger sister) Chinese allows chaining possessives with multiple 的 particles.
3. Family Collective Terms Example: 全家人的照片 (the whole family's photo) Collective family terms like 全家人 (whole family) also use 的 for possession.
4. Specific Chinese Family Terms Chinese has specific terms for relationships that English describes with "of": -
表哥 (older male cousin on mother's side) -
堂妹 (younger female cousin on father's side) -
外公 (maternal grandfather)
These terms inherently express relationships that would require "of" in English.
5. Omission of 的 in Close Relationships Sometimes 的 can be omitted with very close family relationships in informal speech: -
我爸 (my dad) instead of 我的爸爸 -
我妈 (my mom) instead of 我的妈妈
However, this omission is informal and context-dependent.
Common Patterns in Family Contexts: -
Describing family members' attributes: 弟弟的成绩 (younger brother's grades) -
Family members' possessions: 孩子们的玩具 (children's toys) -
Family events: 姐姐的婚礼 (older sister's wedding) -
Family relationships: 我表哥的女朋友 (my cousin's girlfriend)
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