Particle は VS の when identifying ownership with the verb ある


Quick basic grammar question.

With respect to expressing ownership of an item using ある. Am I correctly
understanding the general meaning and particle use in the following sentences?

  1. 私の辞書がありません → I do not have MY dictionary

  2. 私は辞書がありません → I do not have a dictionary

I think the second example makes sense grammatically speaking, however I'm
unsure if the first example is correct. Can I use の in similar situations like
this to express if a particular item belongs to me? Can I use it like this
with いる as well?

For example:

  1. 私の子供がいます → The child is mine

  2. 私は子供がいます → I have a child

Thanks!

Matt




私の辞書がありません does NOT mean "I do not have my dictionary." This is a very common
mistake among J-learners. To us native speakers, it can ONLY mean "My
dictionary is missing." as in "I brought my dictionary here but I can't find
it now. Where did it go?"

Yes, 私は辞書がありません means "I do not have a dictionary."

私の子供がいます does not mean "The child is mine." It is not such a natural-sounding
sentence but if anyone said it, it would mean "There is my kid."

Yes, 私は子供がいます means "I have a child."




私の辞書がありません does NOT mean "I do not have my dictionary." This is a very common
mistake among J-learners. To us native speakers, it can ONLY mean "My
dictionary is missing." as in "I brought my dictionary here but I can't find
it now. Where did it go?"

Yes, 私は辞書がありません means "I do not have a dictionary."

私の子供がいます does not mean "The child is mine." It is not such a natural-sounding
sentence but if anyone said it, it would mean "There is my kid."

Yes, 私は子供がいます means "I have a child."

