Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today’s second lesson!
[N1 の N2] *N refers to a noun.
You learned in Lesson 1-(3) that の is used to connect two nouns when N1 modifiies N2. In today’s lesson, you learn two other uses of this の.

1. N1 explains what N2 is about.
(Example)
これは　コンピューターの　本です。 This is a book on computer.
*コンピューター: a computer
*本（ほん）: a book

2. N1 explains who owns N2.
(Example)
これは　わたしの　本です。 This is my book.

N2 is sometimes omitted when it is obvious. When N2 means a person, however, you cannot omit it.
(Example)
あれは　だれの　かばんですか。　　—佐藤さんの (かばん/omitted) です。
Whose bag is that? —It’s Mr. Sato’s.
このかばんは　あなたのですか。　　—いいえ、わたしの (かばん/omitted) じゃ　ありません。
Is this bag yours? —No, it’s not mine.
スミスさんは　IMCの　社員ですか。　　—はい、IMCの　社員 (not omitted) です。
Is Mr. Smith an employee of IMC? —Yes, he is.
*かばん／バッグ: a bag
*だれの: whose

June 7th News, from NILS Japanese language school.