Possessive Adjectives

Spanish: Los Adjetivos Posesivos

Level: A1 Beginner

Category: pronouns

Explanation

Possessive adjectives indicate who something belongs to. In Spanish, possessive adjectives go before the noun (the thing possessed) and they are: mi (my), tu (your), su (his/her/its/their/your formal), nuestro (our), and vuestro (your plural, Spain). For example: "mi casa" (my house), "tu libro" (your book), "su coche" (his/her car). The most important thing to remember is that possessive adjectives agree with the thing possessed, NOT with the person who possesses it. So if I have several books, I say "mis libros" (my books), even though I am only one person. The form changes according to the number (singular or plural) of what is owned: mi/mis, tu/tus, su/sus. The forms "nuestro" and "vuestro" are special because they also change according to gender: nuestro/nuestra/nuestros/nuestras. For example: "nuestro coche" (our car, masculine), "nuestra casa" (our house, feminine), "nuestros amigos" (our friends, masculine), "nuestras amigas" (our friends, feminine). The form "su/sus" is very versatile: it can mean "his", "her", "its", "their", or "your" (formal). The context tells you the exact meaning. For example, "su casa" can be his house, her house, their house, or your (formal) house.

Examples

• Mi café está muy caliente. - My coffee is very hot.
• ¿Dónde está tu mesa? - Where is your table?
• Su habitación está en el segundo piso. - Your room is on the second floor.
• Mis llaves están en la recepción. - My keys are at the reception.
• Nuestra reserva es para las ocho. - Our reservation is for eight o'clock.