How to express possession with 之 (zhī) in Chinese
Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive)
Expressing possession with "之 (zhī)"
Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive)
HSK 6ParticlesExpressing possession with "之 (zhī)"
Rule structure
之 (zhī) is a classical Chinese possessive particle equivalent to modern 的 (de). It is used in formal, literary, or fixed expressions and sounds more elegant and concise.
Rule structure
之 (zhī) is a classical Chinese possessive particle equivalent to modern 的 (de). It is used in formal, literary, or fixed expressions and sounds more elegant and concise.
Examples
父母之爱很伟大。
Fùmǔ zhī ài hěn wěidà.
Parental love is great.
Examples
父母之爱很伟大。
Fùmǔ zhī ài hěn wěidà.
Parental love is great.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Expressing possession with "之 (zhī)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive). For example: 父母之爱很伟大。 — “Parental love is great.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
父母之爱很伟大。 — “Parental love is great.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.
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More HSK 6 grammar rules
Expressing "whether or not" with "与否 (yǔfǒu)"
Verb / Adj. + 与否 (yǔfǒu) — formal "whether or not"
Expressing the self-evident with "嘛 (ma)"
Statement + 嘛 (ma) — obviousness
Expressing "is or is not" with "是否 (shìfǒu)"
是否 (shìfǒu) + Verb / Adj. (formal "whether")
Expressing "nothing but" with "无非 (wúfēi)"
无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)
Expressing "as well as" with "以及 (yǐjí)"
Noun A + 以及 (yǐjí) + Noun B
Expressing "let alone" with "何况 (hékuàng)"
Clause A, 何况 (hékuàng) + Clause B (even more so)
Indicating contrast with "则 (zé)"
Topic A + 则 (zé) + Comment / Verb
Expressing "all" with "凡是 (fánshì)"
凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb
