This website uses cookies. Find out more or .

Questions and Answers

Question

0
points
Asked 31 months ago by Brady1  valid Edit

Hi,

I know 的 is used to indicate possession but I was wondering why it is not needed in the question 你家几口人 - How many people are in your family?

I would've thought that since you are asking someone about something which is theirs, you would need to indicate with 的.

If anyone can explain, that would be great.

Cheers.

Add comment  
This question has been viewed 4 times.
Answers
0
points

In terms of pronouns acting as attributives indicating possession, we usually add 的, e.g. 你的书 (your book)、我的杯子 (my cup). If the noun to be modified is a country, organization, or relative, sometimes we do not need to use 的,e.g. 他们国家(their country)、我妈妈 (my mother)、我们公司 (our company).

In this case, 家 is related to one's family members, relatives and it is also like an organization in a sense, so we don't need to use 的 - instead we just say 你家. Hope this is helpful!

Answered 21 months ago by lisaC valid Edit
Add comment