Forms of possessive pronouns

Understanding Spanish possessive pronoun forms is essential for expressing ownership and possession in Spanish. Unlike English, where possessive pronouns remain unchanged, Spanish possessives must agree with both gender and number of the noun they reference.

Basic Forms

Here are the main possessive pronouns you’ll encounter:

Usage Rules

1. Gender Agreement    The possessive pronoun must match the gender of the noun it replaces:    – “¿Es esta tu computadora? No, la mía está en casa.”    (Is this your computer? No, mine is at home.)
2. Number Agreement    The pronoun must also match whether the noun is singular or plural:    – “Mis libros son viejos, los tuyos son nuevos.”    (My books are old, yours are new.)
3. Article Requirement    Spanish possessive pronouns always require a definite article (el, la, los, las):    – “Este coche es el mío.”    (This car is mine.)

Common Examples

• “Tu casa es grande, la mía es pequeña.”   (Your house is big, mine is small.)
• “Sus hijos estudian matemáticas, los nuestros estudian ciencias.”   (Their children study math, ours study science.)
• “Mi perro es negro, el suyo es blanco.”   (My dog is black, his/hers is white.)

Special Uses

1. Expressing Emphasis    – “Este libro es mío.” → “Este libro es el mío.”    (This book is mine. → This book is mine.)
2. Multiple Possessors    – “El suyo” can mean his, hers, its, or theirs, context determines meaning:    – “Es el suyo.” (It’s his/hers/theirs.)
3. Formal vs. Informal    – “Vuestro” is mainly used in Spain, while Latin America uses “suyo” for formal plural you.

Remember that Spanish possessive pronoun forms always need context to be fully understood. The same form “suyo” could mean different things depending on who you’re talking about, so clear context is crucial for effective communication.