Possessives is the fourteenth (assuming left to right) skill in the Dutch language tree. In these two lessons, the learner of Dutch is introduced to system of possessives that allow them to say "That's mine." or "I like your dog."
Tips and notes[]
The Dutch system of possessives is a little more complicated than in English. There are three ways of saying "my/mine."
Basic Possessives (i.e. my, your, his)[]
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| my | mijn |
| your (sg inf) | je/jouw |
| his/her/its | zijn/haar/zijn |
| our | ons/onze |
| your (plural) | jullie/je |
| their | hun |
| you (formal) | uw |
Ons/Onze[]
"Ons" is used with het- words, while "onze" is used with de- words.
Jullie jullie[]
If the combination "jullie jullie" would appear in the phrase, substitute "je" for the second "jullie."
Independent possessive (i.e. mine, yours, ours)[]
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| mine | de/het mijne |
| yours (sg. inf.) | de/het jouwe |
| his, hers | de/het zijne, hare (no "its") |
| ours | de/het onze |
| yours (plural inf.) | no equivalent; use the alternate below |
| theirs | de/het hunne |
| yours (formal) | de/het uwe |
Example: De muis is de mijne. (the mouse is mine)
Alternative independent possessives[]
| English | Dutch |
|---|---|
| mine | van mij |
| yours (sg. inf.) | van jou |
| his, hers, its | van hem/haar, ervan/hiervan (its) |
| ours | van ons |
| yours (plural inf.) | van jullie |
| theirs | van hen |
| yours (formal) | van u |
Example: De muis is van u. (the mouse is yours)
Lessons[]
Lesson 1[]
- hun = their
- jouw = your
- onze = our
- mijn = my
- zijn = his / its
- haar = her
Lesson 2[]
- je = your
- jullie = your (pl.)
- van mij = from me / mine
- van ons = from us / ours
- van jou = from you / yours
- van jullie = from you / yours (pl.)
- van = from / 's / of
- de naam = the name
- namen = names
- Saskia (female given name)
- Roos (female given name)
- Willem (male given name)
References[]
Duolingo Lesson: www.duolingo.com/skill/dn/Possessives