Possessive adjectives show who owns or is associated with something, and they agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. This guide covers the key forms for each grammatical person and useful expressions to signal possession.
Key Forms
Possessive adjectives in French must match the noun's gender and number, not the owner's gender. The main forms are mon/ma/mes, ton/ta/tes, son/sa/ses, notre/notre/nos, votre/votre/vos, and leur/leur/leurs.
| Person | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Singular | mon | ma | mes | |
| 2nd Singular | ton | ta | tes | |
| 3rd Singular | son | sa | ses | |
| 1st Plural | notre | notre | nos | |
| 2nd Plural | votre | votre | vos | |
| 3rd Plural | leur | leur | leurs |
She is looking for her key in the living room.
Special Cases
When a feminine singular noun begins with a vowel or mute h, use the masculine form of the possessive adjective to keep the phrase smooth and pronounceable. For example, say mon amie instead of ma amie.
Expressions of Possession
In addition to possessive adjectives, French uses structures like à moi, à toi, à lui, etc., to emphasize or clarify ownership, especially in short phrases or when contrasting owners. The construction is noun + à + disjunctive pronoun.
Summary
Possessive adjectives consistently agree with the noun possessed, not the possessor, and you should use the masculine form before feminine nouns that start with a vowel sound. Remember that expressions with à + pronoun can add emphasis or clarity.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025