Possessive Adjectives

Possessive Adjectives (defined)

Possessive adjectives tell you who owns something or describes a relationship between two people. Here are some possessive adjectives in English:

myyour

his/her our

theirUse possessive adjectives when the possessor’s proper name is not explicitly given. When you are not using an ‘s.

Ex.) His shirt is green. Su camisa es verde.

When the possessor is emphasized (You have an ‘s in English)

use the “de” construction.

Ex.) Ramon’s shirt is green. La camisa de Ramón es verde.

Adjetivos posesivos

tu (your inform.)

mi (my)

su (your formal)

su (his/her/its)

nuestro(a) (our)

vuestro(a) (your, plural, inform.)

su (your, plural, formal)

su (their)

Singular

Plural

mis (my)

tus (your inform.)

sus (your formal)

sus (his, her, its)

nuestros(as) (our)

vuestros(as) (your, plural, inform.)

sus (your)

sus (their)

En Español

• Possessive adjectives agree in gender and number with the items being possessed.

• If one item is possessed use singular possessive adjectives.

• If more than one item is possessed, use plural possessive adjectives.

• Nuestro(a)(os)(as) & vuestro(a)(os)(as) are the possessive adjectives that agree in gender with the items being possessed.

• Ex: Nuestro perro. Vuestras casas.

• Use possessive adjectives when the possessor’s proper name is not explicitly given. (No ‘s)

• Ex.) Su hermana es bonita. (His sister is pretty.

• When the possessor is emphasized use the “de” construction. This is helpful to clarify su and sus.

• Ex.) La hermana de Iván Esteban es bonita. (Iván Esteban’s sister is pretty).

¿Cómo se dice?my catmy dogsyour moneyyour househis chairher booktheir booksour fatherour mother our parents

mi gatomis perrostu dinerotu casasu sillasu librosus librosnuestro padre nuestra madrenuestros padres

POR EJEMPLO...mi coche

Mi coche es rojo.

Sus abuelos

Sus abuelos son interesantes.

Your family lives in a house.

Her cousin is nice.

Our socks are yellow.

Guadalupe’s cousin is nice.

José is your (plural, inform.) uncle.

Tu familia vive en casa.

Su prima es simpática.

Nuestros calcetines son amarillos.

El primo de Guadalupe es simpático.

José es vuestro tío. Vuestro tío es José.