私のものです
watashi no mono desu
The English phrase "it is mine" is expressed in Japanese as 私のものです (watashi no mono desu).
私のものです is used to say "it is mine (my belonging)", specifically to emphasize possession of an object. You can also say これは私のものです to mean "this is mine" by adding これは (this is) to the beginning.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私のもの literally means "my thing". It is composed of watashi (I/me), the particle no (possessive particle) and mono (thing/object).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
私のものです is a polite expression suitable for most social situations. For a more formal tone, you can use Watashi no desu (わたしのです) to say "it is mine". In casual or masculine speech, watashi no mono desu is often replaced by ore no mono da or simply the informal Ore no (俺の).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle no (の) functions as a possessive marker, which turns watashi (I) into watashi no (my).
How do you pronounce it?
watashi no mono desu
Did you know?
- The word mono refers to a physical object, but it is also used in the word monogatari which means 'story' or 'narrative'.
- Depending on the context, claiming watashi no mono desu can sound overly aggressive or possessive because Japanese culture often emphasizes group harmony over individual ownership.
- The word もの (mono) in 'it is mine' can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person of great talent or significance. In certain contexts, calling someone a 'mono' implies they are a person of substance or importance.
Examples in context
- 「これは誰のイスですか」「私のものです」"Whose chair is this?" "It is mine."This example shows how to respond when asked whose chair a certain item is using 私のものです.Tatoeba #236608 by mookeee, translation #73897 by CK
- この傘は私のものです。Kono kasa wa watashi no mono desu.This umbrella is mine.
- そのペンは私のものです。Sono pen wa watashi no mono desu.That pen is mine.
Example conversation
At a cafe, Ren sees a notebook on the table.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、このノートはあなたのものですか？Yui-san, kono nōto wa anata no mono desu ka?Yui, is this notebook yours?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、それは私のものじゃありません。Iie, sore wa watashi no mono ja arimasen.No, it is not mine.
- 蓮 Renそうですか。あ、これは私のものです！Sō desu ka. A, kore wa watashi no mono desu!I see. Oh, this is mine!
- 結衣 Yuiよかったですね、蓮さん。Yokatta desu ne, Ren-san.I'm glad, Ren.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
