Dutch possessive pronouns (bezittelijk voornaamwoord)

Definition and usage of possessive pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to describe to whom an object belongs. Most possessive pronouns are stressed and don't have an unstressed form. Stressed possessive pronouns are used when the emphasis lies on the pronoun in the sentence. The table below shows the different pronouns.  

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Stefaan L.

Michel B.

Jeff N.

Paul K.

Elena P.

Saskia D.

Elvira V.

Michael B.

Hannelore L.

Charonie S.

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Exceptions of Dutch possessive pronouns

• 'Your' (singular) has two forms in Dutch instead of one like the other possessive pronouns. 
  • This possessive pronoun has a stressed and an unstressed form. 'Your' is the stressed and 'Je'  is the unstressed form. 
• 'Its' has two forms in Dutch: 'zijn' or 'haar'. 
  • The usage depends on the gender of the words. 'Zijn' is used for masculine and neuter words and 'haar' for feminine. Although in everyday Dutch the distinction between these two categories is not made anymore. 'Zijn' is used in almost every situation.  
• 'Our' has two forms in Dutch instead of one.
  • 'Onze' is used for nouns that get the article 'de' and plural nouns. 'Ons' is used for nouns that get the article 'het'.  
• 'Your' (plural) has two forms as well. 
  • 'Jullie' is the most common one, but 'je' is sometimes used to avoid the usage of 'jullie' two times in one sentence.  

  • For example: Hebben jullie je lunch meegebracht?  - Have you brought your lunch? 

  • Instead of:  Hebben jullie jullie lunch meegebracht?  

Example of possessive pronouns

Train your skills with the exercises below.