Possessive Adjectives in Spanish: Understand and use possessive adjectives like 'mi', 'tu', 'su', 'nuestro', and 'vuestro'

Possessive adjectives in Spanish are used to indicate ownership or possession. They help to clarify who owns or possesses a certain object in a sentence. These adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

Singular Possessive Adjectives

In Spanish, there are four singular possessive adjectives:

1. Mi (my) - Used to indicate ownership by the speaker.

   • Examples: Mi casa (My house), Mi libro (My book)

2. Tu (your) - Used to indicate ownership by the person being spoken to.

   • Examples: Tu perro (Your dog), Tu casa (Your house)

3. Su (his/her/your) - Used to indicate ownership by a third person.

   • Examples: Su coche (His car), Su casa (Her house), Su libro (Your book)

4. Su (its) - Used to indicate ownership by an object or animal.

   • Examples: Su cola (Its tail), Su jaula (Its cage)

Plural Possessive Adjectives

In Spanish, there are two plural possessive adjectives:

1. Nuestro/nuestra/nuestros/nuestras (our) - Used to indicate ownership by the speaker and others.

   • Examples: Nuestro perro (Our dog), Nuestras casas (Our houses)

2. Vuestro/vuestra/vuestros/vuestras (your) - Used to indicate ownership by the persons being spoken to and others.

   • Examples: Vuestro coche (Your car), Vuestras bicicletas (Your bicycles)

Using Possessive Adjectives in Sentences

Possessive adjectives in Spanish are placed before the noun they modify. They agree in number and gender with the noun they are referring to.

• Examples:
  • Mi hermana (My sister) - Singular, femenine noun
  • Mis hermanos (My brothers) - Plural, masculine noun
  • Tu libro (Your book) - Singular, masculine noun
  • Tus libros (Your books) - Plural, masculine noun
  • Su casa (His/her/your house) - Singular, femenine noun
  • Sus casas (His/her/your houses) - Plural, femenine noun

Remember to use the appropriate possessive adjective based on the gender and number of the noun being modified.

Summary

• Possessive adjectives in Spanish indicate ownership or possession.
• Singular possessive adjectives include mi (my), tu (your), su (his/her/your), su (its).
• Plural possessive adjectives include nuestro/nuestra/nuestros/nuestras (our), vuestro/vuestra/vuestros/vuestras (your).
• Possessive adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
• Place possessive adjectives before the noun they modify.

Now that you understand possessive adjectives in Spanish, you can confidently express ownership and possession in your sentences. Keep practicing to reinforce your learning!