Le mien/le tien/le sien/etc = Mine/yours/his/hers/its (French Possessive Pronouns)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2023-08-30
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Just like in English, French possessive pronouns are used to indicate possession. These pronouns have different forms.

Learn about the French possessive pronouns

Look at the sentences:

Puis-je emprunter ton vélo ? J'ai perdu le mien.Can I borrow your bike? I've lost mine.

C'est à qui ce stylo ? - C'est le mien.Whose is this pen? It's mine.

Ces lunettes de soleil ne sont pas les siennes.Those sunglasses are not his.

The expressions for 'mine', 'yours' and 'his/hers' in French agree in gender and number with the noun they imply or replace:

  mine yours his/hers
masc.sing. le mien le tien le sien
fem.sing. la mienne la tienne la sienne
masc.pl. les miens les tiens les siens
fem.pl. les miennes les tiennes les siennes

 

See also Le nôtre/le vôtre/le leur/etc = Ours/yours/theirs (French Possessive Pronouns)
and Expressing possession in French with "être à"

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Examples and resources

Puis-je emprunter ton vélo ? J'ai perdu le mien.Can I borrow your bike? I've lost mine.
C'est à qui ce stylo ? - C'est le mien.Whose is this pen? It's mine.
Mes enfants vont très bien. Et les tiens ?My children are very well. What about yours?
Ces lunettes de soleil ne sont pas les siennes.Those sunglasses are not his.
J'aime bien ta voiture, elle est mieux que la mienne.I like your car, it's better than mine.
Cette robe est superbe ! C'est la tienne ?This dress is amazing! Is it yours?
I'll be right with you...