DELE A2 Guide: Spanish Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns
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Key Takeaways
- Master short form possessive adjectives: mi, tu, su, nuestro, vuestro
- Learn long form possessive adjectives and pronouns: mío, tuyo, suyo
- Understand when to use each form with clear examples
- Practice with DELE-focused scenarios for exam success
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish Possessives. These essential words help you show ownership and relationships, which is crucial for describing your life, family, and belongings on the DELE A2 exam. Mastering possessives will make your Spanish sound more natural and accurate.
What are Possessives?
Possessives indicate who owns or possesses something. Spanish has two main types:
- Possessive Adjectives (describe nouns)
- Possessive Pronouns (replace nouns)
Short Form Possessive Adjectives
These come BEFORE the noun and are the most common:
| English | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| my | mi | mi | mis | mis |
| your (tú) | tu | tu | tus | tus |
| his/her/your (ud.) | su | su | sus | sus |
| our | nuestro | nuestra | nuestros | nuestras |
| your (vosotros) | vuestro | vuestra | vuestros | vuestras |
| their/your (uds.) | su | su | sus | sus |
Examples:
- “mi casa” (my house)
- “tu libro” (your book)
- “nuestro coche” (our car)
- “sus amigos” (their/his/her/your friends)
Important Notes:
- Mi, tu, su don’t change for gender, only for number (mi/mis)
- Nuestro and vuestro change for both gender and number
- Su/sus can mean his, her, your (formal), or their – context clarifies
Long Form Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns
These come AFTER the noun and agree in gender and number:
| English | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mine | mío | mía | míos | mías |
| yours (tú) | tuyo | tuya | tuyos | tuyas |
| his/hers/yours (ud.) | suyo | suya | suyos | suyas |
| ours | nuestro | nuestra | nuestros | nuestras |
| yours (vosotros) | vuestro | vuestra | vuestros | vuestras |
| theirs/yours (uds.) | suyo | suya | suyos | suyas |
As Adjectives (after noun):
- “un amigo mío” (a friend of mine)
- “la casa suya” (his/her/your/their house)
As Pronouns (replacing noun):
- “Este libro es mío.” (This book is mine.)
- “¿Es tuyo este coche?” (Is this car yours?)
When to Use Each Form
Use Short Form:
- Before the noun
- Most common in everyday speech
- “Mi familia es grande.” (My family is big.)
Use Long Form:
- For emphasis or clarity
- After the noun
- To replace the noun entirely
- “Este bolígrafo es mío.” (This pen is mine.)
DELE A2 Practical Scenarios
Family Descriptions:
- “Mis padres viven en Madrid.” (My parents live in Madrid.)
- “Nuestra casa tiene tres dormitorios.” (Our house has three bedrooms.)
- “El hermano suyo es médico.” (His brother is a doctor.)
Personal Belongings:
- “¿Dónde está mi móvil?” (Where is my cell phone?)
- “Estos zapatos son míos.” (These shoes are mine.)
- “Tu abrigo está en el armario.” (Your coat is in the closet.)
Work and Study:
- “Nuestro profesor es muy bueno.” (Our teacher is very good.)
- “Su oficina está en el centro.” (His office is in the center.)
- “Estos apuntes son tuyos.” (These notes are yours.)
Clarifying “Su/Suyo”
When “su/suyo” is unclear, use:
- “de él” (his)
- “de ella” (hers)
- “de usted” (yours formal)
- “de ellos/ellas” (theirs)
- “de ustedes” (yours plural)
Example: “Es el coche de ella.” (It’s her car.)
Common Expressions
- “por mi parte” (for my part)
- “en mi opinión” (in my opinion)
- “de tu lado” (on your side)
- “nuestro turno” (our turn)
DELE A2 Exam Tips
- Speaking Section: Use possessives when describing family and belongings
- Writing Section: Show correct gender/number agreement
- Listening Section: Recognize possessive relationships in conversations
- Key Areas: Family, personal items, relationships, shared possessions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t forget gender agreement with nuestro/vuestro
- Don’t use articles with short form possessives
- Remember that long forms agree with the noun they modify
- Practice the difference between adjective and pronoun use
Special Cases
1. With Body Parts:
Spanish often uses definite articles instead of possessives:
- “Me duele la cabeza.” (My head hurts.)
- “Lavate las manos.” (Wash your hands.)
2. For Emphasis:
- “Es mi coche, no el tuyo.” (It’s my car, not yours.)
Memory Tips
- Short forms go before the noun
- Long forms go after the noun or replace it
- Nuestro/vuestro change for gender and number
- Mi/tu/su only change for number
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to master possessives?
Take our DELE A2 Possessives Quiz here to ensure you’re prepared for the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A2 Journey?
- Need more adjective practice? Review DELE A2 Adjectives
- Ready for related topics? Study DELE A2 Demonstratives
- Want family vocabulary? Learn DELE A2 Family Members
- Practice all A2 grammar? Return to DELE A2 Grammar Hub
Looking for a deeper dive?
This guide covers the essentials for the DELE A2 exam. If you want to explore more complex possessive structures, additional forms, and nuanced usage rules, check out our complete guide: Spanish Possessives: The Complete Guide
Master possessives and you’ll be able to describe relationships and ownership with confidence in Spanish!
