of
Meaning: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole; belonging to
The preposition 'of' indicates relationships such as possession, origin, composition, or partitive meaning. It is one of the most versatile prepositions in English, appearing in countless fixed expressions. Common uses include showing what something is made of, what it contains, or who it belongs to.
Examples
- A cup of tea would be lovely. 一杯茶就太好了。Una taza de té estaría muy bien.紅茶を一杯いただけると嬉しいです。홍차 한 잔이면 좋겠습니다.
- The streets of London are always busy. 伦敦的街道总是很繁忙。Las calles de Londres siempre están concurridas.ロンドンの通りはいつも混んでいる。런던의 거리는 항상 붐빈다.
- She is a woman of great courage. 她是一个非常有勇气的女人。Ella es una mujer de gran valentía.彼女は大変勇気のある女性です。그녀는 대단히 용감한 여성이다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'of', meaning 'away from' or 'out of'. Descended from Proto-Germanic *af. Originally indicated separation or origin; its possessive sense developed later in Middle English.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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