Spanish possessive pronouns are an essential part of the language—they clearly show possession or relationships and help avoid repetition. Mastering these pronouns will significantly improve your ability to speak Spanish clearly and confidently. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need, complete with practical examples you can use immediately.
What Are Possessive Pronouns?
Possessive pronouns replace nouns to indicate who owns or is related to something. In English, we say:
- That’s mine.
- Is this yours?
Spanish follows the same concept, with some added grammatical details.
Complete List of Spanish Possessive Pronouns
Below is a complete list. These pronouns agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they replace:
| English | Singular (Masc./Fem.) | Plural (Masc./Fem.) |
|---|---|---|
| mine | mío / mía | míos / mías |
| yours (tú) | tuyo / tuya | tuyos / tuyas |
| his/hers | suyo / suya | suyos / suyas |
| yours (usted) | suyo / suya | suyos / suyas |
| ours | nuestro / nuestra | nuestros / nuestras |
| yours (vosotros) | vuestro / vuestra | vuestros / vuestras |
| theirs | suyo / suya | suyos / suyas |
Example Sentences (Practical Usage)
Let’s see these pronouns in action:
- ¿Es este tu coche?
Is this your car?
→ No, el mío es azul.
No, mine is blue. - Sus libros están en la mesa.
Her books are on the table.
→ Los míos están en la mochila.
Mine are in the backpack. - Ese no es nuestro perro.
That’s not our dog.
→ El nuestro está en casa.
Ours is at home. - ¿Dónde están tus llaves?
Where are your keys?
→ Las tuyas están en la cocina.
Yours are in the kitchen.
Clarifying the Ambiguity of “Suyo”
The pronoun “suyo” can sometimes be ambiguous—it can mean his, hers, yours (formal), or theirs. Usually, context makes it clear, but when it doesn’t, Spanish speakers clarify using “de + pronoun”:
- Es suyo. → Could mean It’s his/hers/yours/theirs.
- Es de él / de ella / de usted / de ellos. → More specific.
Possessive Pronouns vs. Possessive Adjectives
Avoid confusion between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives. Possessive adjectives come before the noun and do not stand alone:
| English | Possessive Adjective | Example |
|---|---|---|
| my | mi | Mi casa (my house) |
| your (tú) | tu | Tu libro (your book) |
| his/her | su | Su coche (his/her car) |
| our | nuestro/a | Nuestra amiga (our friend) |
| their | su | Sus padres (their parents) |
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice by rephrasing these sentences with possessive pronouns:
- Es mi mochila. → Es la mía.
- Son tus zapatos. → Son los tuyos.
- Es nuestra idea. → Es la nuestra.
Bottom Line
Spanish possessive pronouns focus heavily on agreement—they must match the noun being possessed, not the possessor. Familiarize yourself with these pronouns, and they’ll become second nature.
Use them to sound more fluent, avoid repetition, and communicate more effectively.
