poseer

Poseer is a Spanish transitive verb meaning to possess or own something, to have it in one’s possession, or to hold rights or qualities. It is commonly used in formal, legal, and literary contexts, as well as in everyday speech when ownership or control is emphasized. The verb typically takes a direct object, specifying what is possessed, such as bienes (goods), derechos (rights), una casa (a house), or una habilidad (a skill).

Etymology and usage

Poseer derives from Latin possidere, meaning to possess. In modern Spanish, poseer often conveys a stronger sense of established ownership or entitlement than the more general tener. It is used with nouns describing tangible property, intellectual property, financial assets, or abstract qualities like talento or autoridad.

Conjugation overview

Poseer is a regular -er verb with a notable irregularity in the present tense first-person singular:

- Present: poseo, posees, posee, poseemos, poseéis, poseen

- Preterite: poseí, poseíste, poseyó, poseímos, poseísteis, poseyeron

- Imperfect: poseía, poseías, poseía, poseíamos, poseíais, poseían

- Present subjunctive: posea, poseas, posea, poseamos, poseáis, posean

- Imperative: tú posee, usted posea, nosotros poseamos, vosotros poseed, ustedes posean

The past participle is poseído, used in perfect tenses (ha poseído, habían poseído).

Usage notes

Poseer often appears with nouns such as propiedades, patentes, o derechos, and can express formal ownership or entitlement. It contrasts with tener, which is more general or temporary, and with disponer de, which emphasizes available resources. Examples: “La empresa posee varias patentes” or “Poseo una casa en la playa.”

See also: tener, posesión, propiedad.