HSK 1 · VERSION 2.0#19
Expressing Close Possession without “de”
不用“的”表示亲属关系
How it works
With close personal relationships, especially family relationships, Chinese often omits 的 after the possessor. This often makes the expression sound more natural and intimate.
The pattern
Possessor + Noun
Example sentences
我妈妈是老师。
My mother is a teacher.
他爸爸很忙。
His father is very busy.
我姐姐在北京。
My older sister is in Beijing.
Usage note
Both forms may occur with close family relationships, but omitting 的 is very common in everyday Chinese. For example: 我妈妈 / 我的妈妈