French possessive pronouns replace noun phrases that include a possessive adjective and noun, allowing you to avoid repetition. They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace, not with the possessor.
What They Are
Possessive pronouns stand in for something owned. Instead of repeating the noun, the pronoun takes its place.
- Replace the entire noun phrase, including the possessive adjective.
- Agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they replace.
- Always preceded by the definite article (le, la, les).
The Table
Possessive pronouns in French change form based on the possessor (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person) and the gender/number of the noun they replace.
| Possessor | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Plural (Masc./Fem.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| st Person Singular | le mien | la mienne | les miens / les miennes |
| nd Person Singular (tu) | le tien | la tienne | les tiens / les tiennes |
| rd Person Singular (il/elle) | le sien | la sienne | les siens / les siennes |
| st Person Plural (nous) | le nôtre | la nôtre | les nôtres |
| nd Person Plural (vous) | le vôtre | la vôtre | les vôtres |
| rd Person Plural (ils/elles) | le leur | la leur | les leurs |
Which possessive pronoun corresponds to 3rd Person Plural (ils/elles) plural nouns?
les leurs
3rd Person Plural (ils/elles) uses 'les leurs' for plural nouns, regardless of gender.
How to Use
- Identify the owned item in the sentence.
- Determine the gender and number of that item.
- Use the appropriate possessive pronoun accordingly.
After identifying the owned item, what is the next step for using a French possessive pronoun?
Determine the gender and number of that item.
The possessive pronoun must match the gender and number of the noun it replaces, so identifying these features is essential.
Examples
. Singular Possession
st Person Singular (je)
- Phrase: C’est ma voiture.
- Replacement: C’est la mienne.
- Meaning: It’s mine.
. 2nd Person Singular (tu)
- Phrase: Voilà ton stylo.
- Replacement: Voilà le tien.
- Meaning: That’s yours.
. 3rd Person Singular (il/elle)
- Phrase: Voici sa maison.
- Replacement: Voici la sienne.
- Meaning: Here is his/hers.
. Plural Possession
st Person Plural (nous)
- Phrase: Ce sont nos idées.
- Replacement: Ce sont les nôtres.
- Meaning: These are ours.
. 2nd Person Plural (vous)
- Phrase: Ce sont vos clés.
- Replacement: Ce sont les vôtres.
- Meaning: These are yours.
. 3rd Person Plural (ils/elles)
- Phrase: Ce sont leurs chiens.
- Replacement: Ce sont les leurs.
- Meaning: These are theirs.
Tips
- Don’t omit the article (le, la, les) before the possessive pronoun.
- The possessive pronoun always agrees with the noun it replaces, never with the possessor.
- Use possessive pronouns to avoid repetition and make sentences more concise.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
