Adjective + の(は)
Meanings
- The 'one' that... (Indefinite pronoun, Adjective nominalization)
- The thing that is [adjective]
- As for the [adjective] thing
About this pattern
Explanation
The の nominalizer turns an adjective into a noun phrase meaning 'the thing that is [adjective]'. When you add は after の (のは), you mark that noun as the topic or focal point of the sentence. This is useful for talking about a specific item that has a certain quality, or when you select or compare items among a group. The pattern is common in everyday conversation when identifying or distinguishing items by their adjectives. Note that while のを can nominalize for other roles, のは emphasizes the topic.
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Example sentences
The cheap one among these is this.
The expensive one is this watch.
The color I like is this.
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More N5 patterns
to be; is; equals; identifies as
View detailsto be; is; am; used to state something politely
View detailsAs for... (highlights sentence topic); Topic marker used to indicate what the sentence is about; Marks the topic of the sentence, sometimes with contrast
View detailsalso; too; as well; even; either; neither
View detailsthis (near the speaker); this thing; this one
View detailsthat; that thing (near the listener); the thing referred to earlier
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