Possessif

Possessif is the French term for the grammatical category that expresses possession. In French grammar, the term covers two related forms: les adjectifs possessifs (possessive adjectives) and les pronoms possessifs (possessive pronouns). The English equivalent is possessive, though the French system uses adjectives and pronouns rather than a single suffix on nouns.

Adjectifs possessifs are determiners that come before a noun to indicate ownership. The main forms are: mon, ma, mes; ton, ta, tes; son, sa, ses; notre, nos; votre, vos; leur, leurs. They agree in number and, for the feminine/singular forms, in gender with the noun they modify (not with the owner). For example: mon livre (my book), ma voiture (my car), mes livres (my books); ton ami, ta voiture, tes amis; son livre, sa voiture, ses livres; notre maison, nos amis; votre chapeau, vos chapeaux; leur projet, leurs projets.

Pronoms possessifs replace a noun and express ownership. Common forms include le mien, la mienne, les miens, les miennes; le tien, la tienne, les tiens, les tiennes; le sien, la sienne, les siens, les siennes; le nôtre, la nôtre, les nôtres; le vôtre, la vôtre, les vôtres; le leur, la leur, les leurs. They function as stand‑alone substitutes for a noun phrase, often following a form of être or used after an article when contrast is implied (C’est le mien; Ce livre est le vôtre).

In usage, possessifs in French contrast with English possessive constructions by relying on adjectives and pronouns rather than a possessive suffix on nouns. See also possessive in linguistics.