nosso

Nosso is a Portuguese possessive determiner meaning our, used to indicate something that belongs to the speaker and at least one other person. It agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number: nosso (masc. sing.), nossa (fem. sing.), nossos (masc. pl.), nossas (fem. pl.). It is placed before the noun, as in Este é o nosso carro or Nossa casa é grande.

Etymology and cognates: Nosso derives from Latin noster, and is cognate with similar forms in other Romance languages, such as Spanish nuestro, Italian nostro, and French notre. The form adapts to gender and number like other possessive adjectives in Portuguese.

Usage and grammar: Nosso functions as a possessive determiner before a noun. Examples include Este livro é nosso, Nossos amigos virão amanhã, and Nossa decisão foi final. In practice, it typically appears directly before the noun it modifies, and the noun’s article and gender align with the determiner. In some contexts, it can also be used as a possessive pronoun with a definite article, as in O nosso já chegou, referring to a previously identified belonging.

Variants and punctuation: The forms reflect gender and number: nosso, nossa, nossos, nossas. There are no diacritics or alternative forms beyond those four. Stress is generally on the first syllable in its standard pronunciation.

Cultural notes: Nosso is common across Brazilian and European Portuguese, with the same basic agreement rules. It is widely used in everyday speech to express inclusive possession, as in family or group ownership, and appears frequently in phrases, slogans, and religious expressions such as Nosso Senhor. See also possessive adjectives in Portuguese.