Spanish possessive adjectives have two distinct forms: short and long. Understanding the difference between them and when to use each is key for clear communication in Spanish.
Short Form Possessive Adjectives
The short form possessive adjectives are:
- mi (my)
- tu (your, singular informal)
- su (his/her/its/your formal/their)
- nuestro/a (our)
- vuestro/a (your, plural informal)
Key characteristics:
- Placement: They are placed before the noun they modify.
- Common Usage: These are the most common forms used in everyday speech.
- Agreement: They agree in number with the noun they modify, except for mi, tu, and su.
Example: “Mi casa es grande” (My house is big)
Long Form Possessive Adjectives
The long form possessive adjectives are:
- mío/a (mine)
- tuyo/a (yours, singular informal)
- suyo/a (his/hers/its/yours formal/theirs)
- nuestro/a (ours)
- vuestro/a (yours, plural informal)
Key characteristics:
- Placement: They are placed after the noun they modify.
- Emphasis/Clarity: Used for emphasis or to avoid ambiguity.
- Definite Article: Always preceded by a definite article (el, la, los, las).
- Agreement: They agree in both gender and number with the noun they modify.
Example: “La casa mía es grande” (My house is big)
Usage Comparison
- Everyday speech:
- Short form: “Mi perro es inteligente” (My dog is smart)
- Long form: “El perro mío es inteligente” (My dog is smart)
- Emphasis:
- Short form: “Es mi libro” (It’s my book)
- Long form: “Es el libro mío” (It’s MY book)
- Clarity:
- Short form: “Su coche es rojo” (His/her/your/their car is red)
- Long form: “El coche suyo es rojo” (His/her/your/their car is red)
Conclusion
While both forms are grammatically correct, the short form possessive adjectives are much more common in everyday Spanish conversations. Long form adjectives are used when you want to add emphasis or clarify ownership, particularly when “su” could have multiple meanings.