「の」(2) The indefinite pronoun

「の」(2) The indefinite pronoun

One

の​ can be used as an indefinite pronoun. If grammar isn't your strong suit—and I wouldn't blame you—you are probably confused as to what "indefinite pronoun" means. Simply put, it works similarly to the English word one in phrases like the small one or the black one.

However, の​ cannot be used on its own and must be accompanied by an adjective or relative clause, similar to its English counterpart. の​ is used to replace a noun when the referent is clear from the context or situation.

In both sentences 車(くるま) car and 傘(かさ) umbrealla could be repeated, but since this would sound repetitive, the second usage is replaced by の​.

For な-adjectives, a な​ must be inserted between the adjective and the の​.

Formation