# RDF 1.2 Primer

**Status:** W3C Group Note Draft
**Published:** April 16, 2026
**Editors:** Pierre-Antoine Champin, Niklas Lindström
**Source:** https://www.w3.org/TR/rdf12-primer/

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## Overview

The W3C RDF 1.2 Primer introduces the [Resource Description Framework](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfDataModel) — a W3C standard for expressing information about resources using subject-predicate-object triples. It covers the RDF data model, vocabularies, seven serialization formats, and RDF semantics. Two major additions in RDF 1.2: **directional language-tagged strings** and **triple terms** for statement reification.

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## RDF Data Model

RDF expresses information as **triples**: `<subject> <predicate> <object>`. A set of triples is called a [graph](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23graphTerm). An [RDF dataset](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23datasetTerm) contains multiple named graphs and at most one default graph.

### Four Kinds of RDF Terms

| Term | Triple Positions | Description |
|------|-----------------|-------------|
| [**IRI**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23iriTerm) | Subject, Predicate, Object | Global identifier — generalizes URI with non-ASCII support |
| [**Literal**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23literalTerm) | Object only | Typed value (string, number, date); optional language tag and base direction |
| [**Blank Node**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23blankNodeTerm) | Subject, Object | Anonymous resource without global identifier |
| [**Triple Term**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23tripleTermTerm) | Object only | Proposition as abstract object — new in RDF 1.2 |

### What's New in RDF 1.2

- **Directional language-tagged strings** — support `ltr` and `rtl` base direction for proper bidirectional text
- **[Triple terms](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23tripleTermTerm)** — enable [reification](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23reification) — annotating assertions with provenance without implying truth

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## RDF Vocabularies

[RDF Schema](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfVocabularies) (RDFS) defines the vocabulary definition language:

| Construct | Meaning |
|-----------|---------|
| `rdf:type` | I is an instance of class C |
| `rdfs:Class` | C is an RDF class |
| `rdf:Property` | P is an RDF property |
| `rdfs:subClassOf` | C1 is a subclass of C2 |
| `rdfs:subPropertyOf` | P1 is a sub-property of P2 |
| `rdfs:domain` | Domain of property P is class C |
| `rdfs:range` | Range of property P is class C |

Notable vocabularies: **FOAF** (social networks), **Dublin Core** (metadata), **schema.org** (search markup), **SKOS** (classification). Vocabularies get their value from reuse.

---

## Serialization Formats (7)

| Format | Graphs | Key Features |
|--------|--------|-------------|
| [**Turtle**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23turtleFmt) | Single | Prefixes, `;` grouping, `a` shorthand, `[]` for blank nodes |
| [**TriG**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23trigFmt) | Multiple | `GRAPH` blocks extend Turtle for [named graphs](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23multipleGraphs) |
| [**N-Triples**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23nTriplesFmt) | Single | Line-based, full IRIs — for bulk exchange |
| [**N-Quads**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23nQuadsFmt) | Multiple | Fourth element per line = graph IRI |
| [**JSON-LD**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23jsonldFmt) | Multiple | JSON syntax with `@context`, `@id`, `@type` |
| [**RDFa**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfaFmt) | Single | Embedded in HTML/XML — `resource`, `property`, `typeof` |
| [**RDF/XML**](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfXmlFmt) | Single | Original XML syntax — `rdf:Description`, `rdf:about` |

---

## Key Concepts

### [Reification](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23reification) (New in 1.2)
[Triple terms](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23tripleTermTerm) allow making statements about statements. A reifier concretizes a proposition — annotate assertions with provenance without implying the original statement.

### [Entailment](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23entailment)
RDF Schema reasoners deduce additional triples from ground statements. From `ex:bob foaf:knows ex:alice`, derive `ex:bob rdf:type foaf:Person`.

### [Vocabulary Reuse](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23vocabReuse)
`owl:sameAs` links equivalent [IRIs](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23iriTerm) across datasets — connecting DBpedia's Leonardo da Vinci to VIAF's Leonardo.

### [Named Graphs](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23multipleGraphs)
Group statements by source. [TriG](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23trigFmt) and [N-Quads](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23nQuadsFmt) provide syntax. Graph names often indicate provenance.

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## How to Use RDF (7 Steps)

1. **[Model Your Domain](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step1)** — Express information as subject-predicate-object triples.
2. **[Choose or Define IRIs](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step2)** — Reuse existing vocabularies (FOAF, schema.org); mint new IRIs under your domain.
3. **[Pick a Serialization Format](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step3)** — Turtle for readability, JSON-LD for APIs, N-Triples for bulk exchange.
4. **[Add Schema and Semantics](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step4)** — Declare classes, properties, domains, and ranges using RDFS.
5. **[Use Named Graphs](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step5)** — Group statements by source; use default graph for metadata.
6. **[Link to Other Datasets](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step6)** — Use `owl:sameAs` to connect your data to Wikidata, DBpedia, VIAF.
7. **[Publish and Query](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23step7)** — Serve data at its IRI with content negotiation; set up a SPARQL endpoint.

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## FAQ

**Q: [What is RDF?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq1)**
A: The Resource Description Framework — a W3C standard for expressing information about resources using subject-predicate-object triples. It powers Linked Data on the Web.

**Q: [What are the four kinds of RDF terms?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq2)**
A: IRIs (global identifiers), literals (typed values, optionally with language tags and base direction), blank nodes (anonymous resources), and triple terms (proposition references, new in 1.2).

**Q: [What is new in RDF 1.2?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq3)**
A: Directional language-tagged strings (ltr/rtl support) and triple terms (statements about statements via reification).

**Q: [What serialization formats does RDF support?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq4)**
A: Seven: Turtle, N-Triples, TriG, N-Quads, JSON-LD, RDFa, and RDF/XML.

**Q: [What is the difference between Turtle and N-Triples?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq5)**
A: N-Triples is line-based with full IRIs for machine processing. Turtle adds prefixes, shorthands, and grouping for human readability.

**Q: [What is a triple term?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq6)**
A: A proposition reference — enables annotating statements with provenance without implying the original assertion is true.

**Q: [What are RDF vocabularies?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq7)**
A: Collections of IRIs defining classes and properties — FOAF, Dublin Core, schema.org, SKOS. Vocabularies gain value from reuse.

**Q: [What is Linked Data?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq8)**
A: Publishing interlinked structured data on the Web — retrieving one IRI yields data linking to others. Wikidata, DBpedia, Europeana, VIAF are examples.

**Q: [What is entailment in RDF?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq9)**
A: The ability of reasoners to deduce additional triples from ground statements using RDF Schema semantics.

**Q: [How do named graphs work?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq10)**
A: An RDF dataset contains multiple named graphs (each with an IRI) and at most one default graph.

**Q: [What RDF and SPARQL specifications exist?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq11)**
A: Eleven RDF 1.2 and twelve SPARQL 1.2 documents covering everything from Concepts to individual serialization formats.

**Q: [How does owl:sameAs support Linked Data?](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23faq12)**
A: It indicates two IRIs refer to the same resource — linking across datasets like DBpedia and VIAF for cross-dataset integration.

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## Glossary

- **[RDF Data Model](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfDataModel)** — Abstract syntax of subject-predicate-object triples; four term types.
- **[RDF Vocabularies](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfVocabularies)** — RDFS-defined classes and properties; FOAF, DC, schema.org, SKOS.
- **[Linked Data](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23linkedData)** — Publishing interlinked structured data on the Web using RDF.
- **[RDF Serialization](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfSerialization)** — Seven concrete syntaxes: Turtle, TriG, N-Triples, N-Quads, JSON-LD, RDFa, RDF/XML.
- **[RDF Semantics](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23rdfSemantics)** — Truth conditions and entailment rules for RDF graphs.
- **[Triple](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23tripleTerm)** — A subject-predicate-object statement; the fundamental unit of RDF.
- **[RDF Graph](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23graphTerm)** — A set of RDF triples.
- **[RDF Dataset](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23datasetTerm)** — Named graphs + default graph.
- **[Reification](https://linkeddata.uriburner.com/describe/?uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FTR%2Frdf12-primer%2F%23reificationTerm)** — Statements about statements using triple terms; new in RDF 1.2.

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## Related Resources

- [RDF 1.2 Primer](https://www.w3.org/TR/rdf12-primer/)
- [RDF 1.2 Concepts](https://www.w3.org/TR/rdf12-concepts/)
- [RDF Knowledge Graph](../rdf/rdf12-primer-deepseek_v4pro-1.ttl)
- [HTML Infographic](../webpages/rdf12-primer-deepseek_v4pro-1.html)

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