A1 Pronouns 8 min read Easy

German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr)

Match the stem to the owner and the ending to the gender of the noun being owned.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In German, 'sein' (his) and 'ihr' (her) agree with the gender of the object they describe, not the owner.

  • Use 'sein' for masculine/neuter owners (his/its). Example: 'Das ist {sein|m} {Hund|m}.'
  • Use 'ihr' for feminine owners (her). Example: 'Das ist {ihr|f} {Katze|f}.'
  • Add an '-e' to the end if the object is feminine or plural. Example: '{ihr|f} {Mutter|f}'.
Owner (Gender) + Possessive + Object (Gender)

Overview

German possessive determiners indicate ownership, similar to English 'his' or 'her'. However, unlike English, German possessives are not static; they change form based on two critical factors: the gender and number of the owner (who possesses the item) and the gender and number of the item being possessed (the noun that follows the possessive determiner), as well as its grammatical case. This rule is fundamental for accurate communication at the A1 level.

Specifically, you use sein to denote possession by a masculine (er) or neuter (es) singular owner, and ihr for possession by a feminine (sie) singular owner or any plural owner (sie). This dual agreement system ensures that the possessive determiner seamlessly integrates into the German sentence structure, reflecting the intricate grammatical relationships between subjects and objects. Ignoring these agreements can lead to grammatical errors and misunderstanding, such as incorrectly assigning ownership or gender in a sentence like Das ist seine die Katze (This is his cat), where seine correctly reflects a masculine owner and a feminine possessed noun.

How This Grammar Works

German possessive determiners function much like articles (such as der, die, das) in that they precede a noun and modify it. Their structure consists of two distinct parts: a stem and an ending. Understanding the role of each part is key to mastering their usage.
The stem of the possessive determiner identifies who the owner is, while the ending reflects the grammatical properties (gender, number, and case) of the noun being possessed.
For sein and ihr in the Nominative case (the basic form, used when the noun is the subject of the sentence), the stem sein- is used for masculine or neuter singular owners. The stem ihr- is used for feminine singular owners and all plural owners. Once the correct stem is chosen, you must then consider the noun being possessed.
If the noun is feminine (e.g., die Tasche) or plural (e.g., die(pl) Bücher), an -e is added to the stem. If the noun is masculine (e.g., der Tisch) or neuter (e.g., das Buch), no ending is typically added in the Nominative case. This agreement principle, where a determiner adapts to the noun it modifies, is a cornerstone of German grammar.
For example, if a man owns a car (das Auto), you would use sein because the owner is masculine (er) and the possessed noun (Auto) is neuter. Thus, you say sein das Auto. However, if the same man owns a bicycle (das Fahrrad), it's still sein das Fahrrad.
If a woman owns a car, you would use ihr because the owner is feminine (sie) and the car is neuter, leading to ihr das Auto. This two-step process—identifying the owner and then adapting to the possessed noun—forms the basis of correct possessive usage.

Formation Pattern

1
To accurately form the possessive determiner sein or ihr in German, you follow a methodical three-step process. This ensures both the owner's identity and the possessed noun's grammatical features are correctly represented. This pattern applies consistently across all singular and plural forms in the Nominative case.
2
Step 1: Identify the Owner's Gender and Number.
3
This step determines the core stem of your possessive determiner. German differentiates between masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural owners.
4
If the owner is masculine (like er, 'he') or neuter (like es, 'it'), use the stem sein-.
5
Example: Max hat einen der Hund. (Max has a dog.) Max is er (masculine owner), so you use sein-.
6
If the owner is feminine (like sie, 'she') or plural (like sie, 'they'), use the stem ihr-.
7
Example: Anna hat eine die Katze. (Anna has a cat.) Anna is sie (feminine owner), so you use ihr-.
8
Example: Die Kinder haben das Spielzeug. (The children have toys.) Die Kinder are sie (plural owners), so you use ihr-.
9
Step 2: Determine the Gender and Number of the Possessed Noun.
10
This step is crucial for selecting the correct ending. The grammatical gender of the noun being possessed (masculine, feminine, neuter) and its number (singular or plural) dictate the required suffix. Always include the correct definite article to indicate gender.
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Masculine singular: der (e.g., der der Vater)
12
Neuter singular: das (e.g., das das Buch)
13
Feminine singular: die (e.g., die die Mutter)
14
Plural (any gender): die(pl) (e.g., die die(pl) Kinder)
15
Step 3: Apply the Correct Nominative Ending to the Stem.
16
Combine the chosen stem with the appropriate ending based on the possessed noun's gender and number. This completes the possessive determiner.
17
For masculine (der) or neuter (das) singular nouns, add no ending to the stem.
18
sein der Vater (his father) / sein das Auto (his car)
19
ihr der Bruder (her brother) / ihr das Haus (her house)
20
For feminine (die) singular nouns or all plural (die(pl)) nouns, add -e to the stem.
21
seine die Mutter (his mother) / seine die(pl) Kinder (his children)
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ihre die Schwester (her sister) / ihre die(pl) Freunde (her friends)
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This systematic approach ensures that the possessive determiner sein or ihr correctly agrees with both the owner and the possessed item in the Nominative case.
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Conjugation Table (Nominative Case)
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| Owner | Possessed Noun (Nominative) | Possessive Form | Example | Translation |
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|-----------------|-----------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|
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| er (he) | der Vater | sein | sein der Vater | his father |
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| er (he) | die Mutter | seine | seine die Mutter | his mother |
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| er (he) | das Auto | sein | sein das Auto | his car |
30
| er (he) | die(pl) Kinder | seine | seine die(pl) Kinder | his children |
31
| es (it) | der Ball | sein | Das Kind und sein der Ball. | The child and its ball. |
32
| es (it) | die Puppe | seine | Das Mädchen und seine die Puppe. | The girl and its doll. |
33
| es (it) | das Spielzeug | sein | Das Baby und sein das Spielzeug. | The baby and its toy. |
34
| es (it) | die(pl) Jungen | seine | Das Tier und seine die(pl) Jungen. | The animal and its young. |
35
| sie (she) | der Mann | ihr | ihr der Mann | her husband |
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| sie (she) | die Schwester | ihre | ihre die Schwester | her sister |
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| sie (she) | das Haus | ihr | ihr das Haus | her house |
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| sie (she) | die(pl) Freunde | ihre | ihre die(pl) Freunde | her friends |
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| sie (they) | der Lehrer | ihr | ihr der Lehrer | their teacher |
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| sie (they) | die Lehrerin | ihre | ihre die Lehrerin | their teacher (f.) |
41
| sie (they) | das Problem | ihr | ihr das Problem | their problem |
42
| sie (they) | die(pl) Eltern | ihre | ihre die(pl) Eltern | their parents |

When To Use It

Possessive determiners sein and ihr are integral to daily German communication, allowing you to clearly indicate ownership of objects, relationships, or abstract concepts. You will use these determiners whenever you refer to something belonging to a third person (he, she, it) or a group of third persons (they). Their frequent use underlines the German linguistic preference for precise attribution of possession.
Consider common scenarios:
  • Referring to someone's possessions: When discussing items belonging to another person, sein or ihr clarifies ownership. For example, if you see a friend's new bicycle, you might ask, Ist das sein das Fahrrad? (Is that his bicycle?) if the friend is male, or Ist das ihr das Fahrrad? if the friend is female. Similarly, Wo ist seine die Tasche? (Where is his bag?) or Wo ist ihre die Tasche? (Where is her bag?)
  • Discussing family and relationships: These determiners are essential for talking about family members. Das ist Max und seine die Schwester. (That is Max and his sister.) or Das ist Anna und ihr der Bruder. (That is Anna and her brother.) Even for pets, Mein Nachbar hat einen der Hund. Sein der Hund ist sehr freundlich. (My neighbor has a dog. His dog is very friendly.)
  • Describing characteristics or attributes: You can also use sein or ihr to refer to abstract qualities or parts of something. Herr Meier mag sein der Job. (Mr. Meier likes his job.) Frau Schmidt liebt ihre die Arbeit. (Ms. Schmidt loves her work.) This usage extends beyond tangible objects to encompass personal associations and experiences.
  • General references: In narratives or explanations where a subject's possessions are mentioned, sein or ihr maintains clarity. Der Künstler zeigt seine die Bilder. (The artist shows his paintings.) Die Autorin liest aus ihrem das neuen Buch. (The author reads from her new book.) Note the Dative case in the second example, a more advanced concept, but illustrating the broad applicability of these determiners.
In essence, whenever you would use

Possessive Determiner Endings (Nominative)

Owner Masculine Neuter Feminine Plural
His (sein)
sein {Hund|m}
sein {Kind|n}
seine {Katze|f}
seine {Eltern|pl}
Her (ihr)
ihr {Hund|m}
ihr {Kind|n}
ihre {Katze|f}
ihre {Eltern|pl}

Meanings

Possessive determiners indicate ownership or relationship. They must match the grammatical gender and number of the noun they modify.

1

Masculine/Neuter Owner

Possession by a male or neuter entity.

“{Sein|m} {Auto|n} ist schnell.”

“{Sein|m} {Vater|m} arbeitet hier.”

2

Feminine Owner

Possession by a female entity.

“{Ihr|f} {Haus|n} ist groß.”

“{Ihr|f} {Mutter|f} kommt heute.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
sein/ihr + Noun
Das ist sein {Haus|n}.
Negative
kein + Noun
Das ist kein {Haus|n}.
Question
Ist das sein/ihr + Noun?
Ist das sein {Haus|n}?
Accusative
seinen/ihren + Noun
Ich sehe seinen {Hund|m}.
Feminine
seine/ihre + Noun
Das ist seine {Mutter|f}.
Plural
seine/ihre + Noun
Das sind seine {Freunde|pl}.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Sein {Wagen|m} ist schnell.

Sein {Wagen|m} ist schnell. (Describing a vehicle)

Neutral
Sein {Auto|n} ist schnell.

Sein {Auto|n} ist schnell. (Describing a vehicle)

Informal
Sein {Auto|n} ist fix.

Sein {Auto|n} ist fix. (Describing a vehicle)

Slang
Sein {Schlitten|m} geht ab.

Sein {Schlitten|m} geht ab. (Describing a vehicle)

Possessive Logic

Owner

Object Gender

  • Masculine No ending
  • Neuter No ending
  • Feminine Add -e
  • Plural Add -e
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Examples by Level

1

Das ist {sein|m} {Hund|m}.

That is his dog.

2

{Ihr|f} {Auto|n} ist rot.

Her car is red.

3

Wo ist {sein|m} {Buch|n}?

Where is his book?

4

{Ihre|f} {Mutter|f} ist nett.

Her mother is nice.

1

Er sucht {seinen|m} {Schlüssel|m}.

He is looking for his key.

2

Sie liebt {ihre|f} {Arbeit|f}.

She loves her work.

3

Wir sehen {sein|m} {Haus|n}.

We see his house.

4

Hast du {ihre|f} {Nummer|f}?

Do you have her number?

1

Mit {seinem|m} {Auto|n} fährt er schnell.

He drives fast with his car.

2

Sie spricht über {ihre|f} {Pläne|pl}.

She talks about her plans.

3

Er gibt {seiner|f} {Schwester|f} ein Geschenk.

He gives his sister a gift.

4

Das ist {ihres|n} {Kindes|n} Spielzeug.

That is her child's toy.

1

Trotz {seiner|m} {Erfolge|pl} bleibt er bescheiden.

Despite his successes, he remains humble.

2

Sie ist stolz auf {ihre|f} {Leistung|f}.

She is proud of her achievement.

3

Er widmet sich {seinem|m} {Hobby|n}.

He dedicates himself to his hobby.

4

Sie hat {ihren|m} {Termin|m} vergessen.

She forgot her appointment.

1

In {seiner|f} {Eigenschaft|f} als Leiter...

In his capacity as manager...

2

Sie hat {ihre|f} {Überzeugung|f} geändert.

She has changed her conviction.

3

Er folgt {seiner|f} {Intuition|f}.

He follows his intuition.

4

Sie hat {ihren|m} {Ruf|m} ruiniert.

She has ruined her reputation.

1

Dies entspricht {seiner|f} {Natur|f}.

This corresponds to his nature.

2

Sie hat {ihre|f} {Wurzeln|pl} nie vergessen.

She never forgot her roots.

3

Er hat {seinen|m} {Weg|m} gefunden.

He has found his way.

4

Sie hat {ihre|f} {Pflicht|f} erfüllt.

She has fulfilled her duty.

Easily Confused

German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr) vs sein vs. ihr

Learners mix up 'his' and 'her' because they look at the object's gender.

German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr) vs mein vs. sein

Learners confuse 'my' and 'his'.

German Possessives: His/Her (sein/ihr) vs ihr vs. ihre

Learners forget the -e for feminine nouns.

Common Mistakes

✗

sein {Katze|f}

✓

seine {Katze|f}

Feminine nouns need an -e.
✗

ihr {Hund|m}

✓

ihr {Hund|m}

Correct, but often confused with 'ihre'.
✗

sein {Auto|n}

✓

sein {Auto|n}

Correct, neuter has no ending.
✗

ihre {Hund|m}

✓

ihr {Hund|m}

Do not add -e to masculine nouns.
✗

Ich sehe sein {Katze|f}

✓

Ich sehe seine {Katze|f}

Accusative doesn't change feminine.
✗

Ich sehe sein {Hund|m}

✓

Ich sehe seinen {Hund|m}

Masculine accusative needs -en.
✗

Ich sehe seine {Auto|n}

✓

Ich sehe sein {Auto|n}

Neuter accusative stays same.
✗

Mit sein {Hund|m}

✓

Mit seinem {Hund|m}

Dative case requires -em.
✗

Mit ihre {Katze|f}

✓

Mit ihrer {Katze|f}

Dative feminine requires -er.
✗

Mit sein {Auto|n}

✓

Mit seinem {Auto|n}

Dative neuter requires -em.
✗

Wegen sein {Auto|n}

✓

Wegen seines {Auto|n}

Genitive requires -es.
✗

Wegen ihre {Hund|m}

✓

Wegen ihres {Hund|m}

Genitive masculine requires -es.
✗

Wegen seine {Katze|f}

✓

Wegen ihrer {Katze|f}

Genitive feminine requires -er.
✗

Wegen sein {Eltern|pl}

✓

Wegen seiner {Eltern|pl}

Genitive plural requires -er.

Sentence Patterns

Das ist ___ {Hund|m}.

Ich sehe ___ {Katze|f}.

Er sucht ___ {Schlüssel|m}.

Sie liebt ___ {Arbeit|f}.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Wo ist sein {Handy|n}?

Job Interview common

Ihre {Erfahrung|f} ist beeindruckend.

Ordering Food occasional

Ist das sein {Essen|n}?

Travel common

Das ist ihr {Koffer|m}.

Social Media very common

Sein {Post|m} war toll.

School common

Wo ist ihre {Hausaufgabe|f}?

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💡

Gender First

Always identify the noun's gender before choosing the possessive ending.
⚠️

Don't Overthink Owner

The owner's gender only picks the root (sein/ihr), not the ending.
🎯

Plural Rule

Treat plural nouns like feminine nouns—they always take an -e.
💬

Politeness

In formal settings, use 'Ihr' (capitalized) for 'your' (formal), which is different from 'ihr' (her).

Smart Tips

Check if the noun is feminine or plural. If yes, add -e.

Das ist sein {Katze|f}. → Das ist seine {Katze|f}.

Always start with 'sein'.

Das ist ihr {Hund|m}. → Das ist sein {Hund|m}.

Always start with 'ihr'.

Das ist sein {Auto|n}. → Das ist ihr {Auto|n}.

Treat them like feminine nouns.

Das sind sein {Eltern|pl}. → Das sind seine {Eltern|pl}.

Pronunciation

zain-uh / eer-uh

Final -e

The final -e in 'seine' or 'ihre' is pronounced as a schwa sound.

Statement

Das ist {sein|m} {Hund|m} ↓

Falling intonation for facts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'His' and 'Her' are just the start; the noun's gender plays the heart.

Visual Association

Imagine a man (sein) holding a masculine dog (no ending) and a woman (ihr) holding a feminine cat (needs an 'e' for her).

Rhyme

If the noun is feminine or plural, add an 'e', it's natural.

Story

Hans has a dog. He says 'Das ist mein {Hund|m}'. If I talk about him, I say 'Das ist sein {Hund|m}'. If Maria has a cat, I say 'Das ist ihre {Katze|f}'.

Word Web

seinihrseineihreseinenihrenseinerihrer

Challenge

Look at 5 objects in your room and say 'Das ist mein...' then change it to 'Das ist sein...' or 'Das ist ihr...'.

Cultural Notes

Germans are very precise about gender. Using the wrong possessive ending can sound like a major error.

In some dialects, the 'e' ending is dropped in very casual speech.

Swiss German often uses different diminutives which affect the gender.

These derive from Old High German possessive pronouns.

Conversation Starters

“

Ist das sein {Hund|m}?

“

Wo ist ihre {Tasche|f}?

“

Warum sucht er seinen {Schlüssel|m}?

“

Was ist ihre {Meinung|f} dazu?

Journal Prompts

Describe your best friend's room.
Write about a colleague's work day.
Describe a family member's hobby.
Reflect on a mentor's influence.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Das ist ___ {Hund|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sein
Masculine nominative needs no ending.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie sucht ___ {Katze|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihre
Feminine accusative needs -e.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist sein {Katze|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: seine {Katze|f}
Feminine needs -e.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist sein {Hund|m}
Correct word order.
Translate to German. Translation

That is her house.

Answer starts with: Das...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist ihr {Haus|n}
Neuter nominative needs no ending.
Match the owner to the root. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sein
Man = sein.
Conjugate for feminine. Conjugation Drill

sein + {Mutter|f}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: seine {Mutter|f}
Feminine needs -e.
Is this true? True False Rule

Plural nouns take an -e ending.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, plural nouns act like feminine.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Das ist ___ {Hund|m}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sein
Masculine nominative needs no ending.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie sucht ___ {Katze|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihre
Feminine accusative needs -e.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Das ist sein {Katze|f}.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: seine {Katze|f}
Feminine needs -e.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

{Hund|m} / sein / ist / das

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist sein {Hund|m}
Correct word order.
Translate to German. Translation

That is her house.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das ist ihr {Haus|n}
Neuter nominative needs no ending.
Match the owner to the root. Match Pairs

Man -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sein
Man = sein.
Conjugate for feminine. Conjugation Drill

sein + {Mutter|f}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: seine {Mutter|f}
Feminine needs -e.
Is this true? True False Rule

Plural nouns take an -e ending.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, plural nouns act like feminine.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Fill in the blank (Owner: Julia, Noun: {das|n} Auto) Fill in the Blank

Julia verkauft ___ Auto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihr
Translate 'His parents are here.' (Parents = {die|pl} Eltern) Translation

Translate: His parents are here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seine Eltern sind hier.
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

ihr / Wo / ist / Handy / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wo ist ihr Handy?
Match the owner to the correct stem Match Pairs

Match the owners:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er : sein, Sie (she) : ihr, Es (it) : sein, Sie (plural) : ihr
Which is correct for 'her dog'? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase for 'her dog' ({der|m} Hund):

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihr Hund
Fix the mistake: 'Das Mädchen isst seine Pizza.' Error Correction

Das Mädchen isst seine Pizza. (Wait, Mädchen is {das|n}!)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Das Mädchen isst seine Pizza.

Score: /6

FAQ (8)

It becomes 'seine' when the noun is feminine or plural.

No, 'ihr' can also mean 'their' or 'you (formal)'. Context is key.

If the child is male, use 'sein'. If female, use 'ihr'.

Yes, plural nouns always take an -e ending.

In accusative, masculine nouns get an -en ending.

No, 'sein' is only for masculine/neuter owners.

Yes, it is used in all registers.

Label items in your house and describe them using 'sein' or 'ihr'.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

su

German changes based on owner gender and object gender.

French high

son/sa/ses

French doesn't change based on owner gender.

Japanese low

kare no / kanojo no

Japanese possessives do not decline.

Arabic low

suffixes

Arabic suffixes are attached to the end of the noun.

Chinese low

de

Chinese has no gender or case.

English moderate

his/her

English possessives do not change based on the object.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Informal 'Your' (dein)
Next
My, My, My! Possessives in the Accusative Case (mein, meine, meinen)

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