Chapter 13: La Possession (Mine, Yours, Ours)

Stop saying "Le chien de moi". It's time to claim what belongs to you.

The Golden Rule

In French, the possessive adjective (my, your, his) matches the gender of the OBJECT owned, not the OWNER.

Part 1: The Grid of Ownership

Owner (English) Masc. Object
(e.g., Père)		 Fem. Object
(e.g., Mère)		 Plural Object
(e.g., Parents)
My (Je) Mon
Mon père		 Ma
Ma mère		 Mes
Mes parents
Your (Tu) Ton
Ton père		 Ta
Ta mère		 Tes
Tes parents
His/Her (Il/Elle) Son
Son père		 Sa
Sa mère		 Ses
Ses parents
Our (Nous) Notre Notre Nos
Your (Vous) Votre Votre Vos
Their (Ils/Elles) Leur Leur Leurs

Part 2: The "Son/Sa" Trap

This is where English speakers fail. Pay attention!

The Problem

If Alice (a girl) has a brother (masculine), English says "Her brother".

French looks at "Brother" (Le frère). Brother is masculine. So French says:

Son frère

(Even though Alice is a girl!)

The Solution
  • Paul's mother = Sa mère (Because Mère is Fem.)
  • Alice's mother = Sa mère (Because Mère is Fem.)
  • Paul's father = Son père (Because Père is Masc.)
  • Alice's father = Son père (Because Père is Masc.)
The Vowel Exception: If a feminine word starts with a Vowel (e.g., Amie), we use Mon/Ton/Son instead of Ma/Ta/Sa to avoid the "Vowel One-Two Punch".
Ma amie (Bad) -> Mon amie (Good)

Dialogue: La Fête

Complimenting at a party.

L
Luc

Salut Claire ! J'adore ton sac.

(Hi Claire! I love your bag.)

Merci ! C'est le sac de ma mère.

(Thanks! It's my mother's bag.)
C
Claire
L
Luc

Et tes chaussures sont superbes !

(And your shoes are superb!)

Le Coin Culturel: "Mon Chéri"

French people use possessives for endearment constantly. You will hear "Ma chérie" (My darling - f), "Mon amour" (My love), or even "Ma puce" (My flea - yes, really!). It shows closeness and affection.

Whose is it?

Choose the correct possessive adjective.

Thinking...

Claim Your Vocabulary

Download the Chapter 13 flashcard deck to practice possession.

Import Chapter 13 Flashcards
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