The Japanese word “の（no）” is a particle. In the Japanese language textbook called Irodori, which has Starter to Elementary level, you will learn the following 16 functions.
- to connect nouns with nouns
- to tell someone who you do something with
- to compare two things and ask which one is better
- to state what happens as a result of an action
- to say what you like to do, using verbs
- to describe likes and dislikes, using adjectives
- to explain the order of actions
- to clarify the characteristics of something
- to describe when the event in the latter part of the sentence happened
- to choose one out of two options
- to compare two things
- to refer to a Noun as new information to the other person
- to ask the other person for an explanation about a situation or a reason
- to refer to the noun mentioned earlier
- to describe a target that receives benefits or privileges
- to explain that a certain thing is suitable for something or useful for something
Functions and Related Information about Japanese Particle “の（no）”
In the Japanese language textbook called Irodori, you will learn the following 16 functions.
- to indicate the relationship between nouns（N1 modifies N2）
- to indicate the relationship between nouns（N1 = N2）
- to explain a specific location
- to specifically say where a person is
- to say what you like to do, using verbs
- to describe likes and dislikes, using adjectives
- to explain the order of actions
- to clarify the characteristics of something
- to describe when the event in the latter part of the sentence happened
- to choose one out of two options
- to compare two things
- to refer to a Noun as new information to the other person
- to ask the other person for an explanation about a situation or a reason
- to refer to the noun mentioned earlier
- to describe a target that receives benefits or privileges
- to explain that a certain thing is suitable for something or useful for something
The details of each are as follows.
*To watch the videos or use the resources, please make sure you are enrolled in all levels of Irodori Japanese Online Course and logged in. In this course, you will learn not only grammar but also related vocabulary through listening comprehension exercises.
to indicate the relationship between nouns（N1 modifies N2）
| JLPT Level | N5〜 |
| Situation(s) | when you ask and answer simple questions about a photograph of family members etc |
| Sentence Pattern(s) | N1のN2 *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | わたしの父です。（That’s my father.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a1/learning/04-015-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Starter, L4 |
to indicate the relationship between nouns（N1 = N2）
| JLPT Level | N5〜 |
| Situation(s) | when you ask and answer simple questions about a photograph of family members etc |
| Sentence Patterns | N1のN2 *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | ペットのラッキーです。（That’s my pet, Lucky.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a1/learning/04-015-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Starter, L4 |
to explain a specific location
| JLPT Level | N5〜 |
| Situation(s) | when you ask and answer questions where some equipment is, for example at work |
| Sentence Patterns | Nの【location】にあります *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | ごみ箱は、机の下にあります。（A garbage can is under the desk.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a1/learning/08-034-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Starter, L8 |
to specifically say where a person is
| JLPT Level | N5〜 |
| Situation(s) | when you tell someone on the phone where you are |
| Sentence Patterns | Nの【location】にいます *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 今、コンビニの前にいます。（I’m in front of the convenience store.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a1/learning/14-060-09-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Starter, L14 |
to say what you like to do, using verbs
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you talk about your hobbies and favorite things to do |
| Sentence Patterns | V-る のが好きです *V-る:dictionary form of Verb |
| Example Sentence(s) | テレビを見るのが好きです。（I like watching TV.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/02-007-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L2 |
to describe likes and dislikes, using adjectives
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you talk about your favorite season and the reason |
| Sentence Patterns | いA-い のが好きです／苦手です *A:Adjective |
| Example Sentence(s) | 私は涼しいのが好きです。暑いのが苦手です。（I like cool weather. I don’t like hot weather.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/03-010-21-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L3 |
to explain the order of actions
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Situation(s) | when you discuss what to do next and where to go while you are out with someone |
| Sentence Patterns | Nの前に、〜 *N:Noun Nのあと（で）、〜 *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 買い物の前に、お金をおろしたいんですが……。（I’d like to withdraw money before shopping.） 食事のあとで、買い物に行きませんか?（Would you like to go shopping after the meal?） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/08-026-12-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L8 |
to clarify the characteristics of something
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you give your impressions and comments about learning Japanese |
| Sentence Patterns | Nは V-る のが ナA-です/イA-い です *N:Noun, V-る:dictionary form of Verb, A:Adjective |
| Example Sentence(s) | 日本語は話すのがかんたんです。（Speaking Japanese is easy.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/09-030-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L9 |
to describe when the event in the latter part of the sentence happened
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Situation(s) | when you answer questions about your experience or your goals in learning Japanese |
| Sentence Patterns | Nのとき、〜 *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 高校のとき、フランス語を勉強しました。（I studied French when I was in high school.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/10-034-15-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L10 |
to choose one out of two options
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Situation(s) | when you discuss what to buy when, for example, having a house party |
| Sentence Patterns | Nのほうがいいです *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 白ワインのほうがいいです。（I prefer white wine.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-1/learning/11-038-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 1, L11 |
to compare two things
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Situation(s) | when you ask store staff about a product when you are buying electric appliances |
| Sentence Patterns | （N1 より）N2 のほうが、～。 *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | スギウエの掃除機のほうがキタシバより軽くて、使いやすいですよ。（Sugiue’s vacuum cleaner is ligher and easier to use compared to Kitashiba.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/12-054-15-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L12 |
to refer to a Noun as new information to the other person
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you answer the question about popular dishes and recommended dishes |
| Sentence Patterns | ナA-な／イA-い／ V-る のは、Nです *A:Adjective, V-る: dictionary form of Verb, N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 人気があるのは、天ぷら定食です。（A popular order is the tempura set meal.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/03-013-08-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L3 |
to ask the other person for an explanation about a situation or a reason
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you talk about an event relating to intercultural experiences |
| Sentence Patterns | S【plain-form】の? *S:Sentence |
| Example Sentence(s) | お金を払わないで、チョコレートを食べたの?（Did you eat chocolate without paying for it?） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/10-046-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L10 |
to refer to the noun mentioned earlier
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Situation(s) | when you tell a shop assistant your request about color, size, etc. at a clothing store and buy what you want |
| Sentence Patterns | ナA-な／イA-い の *A:Adjective |
| Example Sentence(s) | もうちょっと小さいの、ありますか?（Do you have this in a smaller size, please?） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/11-050-06-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L11 |
to describe a target that receives benefits or privileges
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you listen to and understand what kind of services are available to non-Japanese residents |
| Sentence Patterns | Nのために、～ *N:Noun |
| Example Sentence(s) | 外国の方のために、通訳のサービスがあります。（Interpretation services are available for people from other countries.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/14-063-12-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L14 |
to explain that a certain thing is suitable for something or useful for something
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Situation(s) | when you talk about things you are mindful of for the environment or listen to and understand what others say |
| Sentence Patterns | V-るのにいいです *V-る:dictionary form of Verb |
| Example Sentence(s) | エコバッグは、ごみを減らすのにいいんですよ。（Eco bags are good for reducing waste.） |
| Video(s) | https://www.irodori-online.jpf.go.jp/a2-2/learning/15-067-09-01/ |
| Resources | Irodori Online Course, Elementary 2, L15 |
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