Possessive adjectives: "Mío", "Tuyo", "Suyo", ...

What these forms are (mío, tuyo, suyo…)

These are stressed (emphatic) possessives. They mean:

• mío/a/os/as = mine
• tuyo/a/os/as = yours (informal)
• suyo/a/os/as = his / hers / yours (formal) / theirs
• nuestro/a/os/as = ours
• vuestro/a/os/as = yours (Spain, plural informal)

They are used to replace a noun (“mine”) or to add emphasis when placed after a noun (“a friend of mine”).

Key rule: they agree with the thing owned (not the owner)

The form changes to match the gender and number of the noun that is owned.

Self-check: underline the owned noun first. Then choose -o / -a / -os / -as.

Two very common patterns

1. Pattern A (replaces the noun): article + possessive

   • Mi camisa es roja, pero la tuya es azul. (…but yours is blue.)
   • ¿Es este informe tuyo o suyo? (Is this report yours or his/hers?)

2. Pattern B (emphasis after the noun): noun + possessive = “a … of mine/yours/his…”

   • Un colega mío trabaja en Madrid. (A colleague of mine…)
   • Hablo con unas clientas tuyas. (Some clients of yours…)
   • Es una decisión nuestra. (A decision of ours…)

Don’t confuse them with possessive adjectives (mi, tu, su…)

Spanish has two different sets. The meaning is similar, but the grammar job is different.

Typical mistake: Es mi. → Es mío.

“Suyo” is ambiguous: make meaning clear when needed

suyo/a/os/as can mean his, her, your (formal), or their.

• If context is clear, suyo is fine: Es una amiga suya.
• If it could be confusing, many speakers clarify with de + pronoun:
  • una amiga de él / de ella / de usted / de ellos

Mini checklist before you answer

1. Do I need “my” (before a noun) or “mine” (stands alone)?
   • my + noun → mi/tu/su…
   • mine / yours / his… → mío/tuyo/suyo…
2. What is the owned noun? (gender + number)
3. Is it replacement or emphasis?
   • replacement → often article + possessive: la mía
   • emphasis → noun + possessive: una rutina nuestra