What are Possessive Pronouns?
Possessive pronouns are words that show ownership or belonging. In French, they include le mien (mine), le tien (yours), le sien (his/hers), le nôtre (ours), le vôtre (yours formal), and le leur (theirs), varying by gender and number.
Possessive pronouns replace nouns and indicate who owns something. French uses: le/la/les mien(ne)s, le/la/les tien(ne)s, le/la/les sien(ne)s, le/la/les nôtres, le/la/les vôtres, le/la/les leurs.
- •1st: le mien (m.), la mienne (f.) = mine
- •2nd: le tien (m.), la tienne (f.) = yours
- •3rd: le sien (m.), la sienne (f.) = his/hers
- •1st: le nôtre, la nôtre = ours
- •2nd: le vôtre, la vôtre = yours (formal)
- •3rd: le leur, la leur = theirs
Step-by-step worked examples
This book is mine. His is red.
Ce livre est le mien. Le sien est rouge. (possessive pronouns replacing nouns: book = le mien, his = le sien)
My keys are here. Where are yours?
Mes clés sont ici. Où sont les tiennes? (plural possessive: les tiennes = your keys)
Our house is big. Theirs is small.
Notre maison est grande. La leur est petite. (la leur = their house, feminine singular)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.French for 'yours' (informal, singular)?
Q2.'Ours' (feminine, plural)?
Q3.Replace noun: 'This is my pen.'
Q4.Which is NOT a possessive pronoun?
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Common mistakes
Using possessive adjective instead of pronoun. — Correct: Before a noun: mon, ta, son; as a pronoun: le mien, la tienne, le sien.
Forgetting gender agreement with the noun. — Correct: le mien (m.), la mienne (f.), even if 'my' = 1st person.
Using same form for all numbers. — Correct: Singular: le mien, le tien, le sien; Plural: les miens, les tiens, les siens.
Confusing le vôtre (formal) with le tien (informal). — Correct: Use le tien with friends; le vôtre with strangers or authority figures.
FAQ
What is the possessive pronoun for 'his' in French?
le sien (m. sing.), la sienne (f. sing.), les siens/les siennes (plural).
How do possessive pronouns agree in French?
They agree with the noun they replace in gender and number, not with the possessor.
When do you use possessive pronouns instead of adjectives?
Use pronouns when the noun is omitted or understood: 'This book is mine' = C'est le mien.
Is there a formal version of 'yours' in French?
Yes, le vôtre (formal, from vous); le tien is informal (from tu).