Possessive -ov / -ev / -in

Possessive Adjectives from Names

Level 3

A possessive adjective names an owner and agrees with the thing owned.

How It Works

Compare Ivanov kaput, Ivanova torba and Ivanovo pismo. The owner is Ivan each time; the changed ending matches the object.

The choice of -ov, -ev or -in depends on the base word: Markov, stričev and Anin. Some bases undergo sound changes, so do not attach the same suffix to every name.

Possessive adjectives derived from personal names retain a capital initial. They have their own adjective declension pattern; case agreement may change more than the final gender vowel.

Examples (3)

  1. Ovo je Ivanov kaput.

    This is Ivan’s coat.

    Ivanov agrees with masculine kaput.

  2. Čitam Anino pismo.

    I am reading Ana’s letter.

    Anino agrees with neuter pismo.

  3. Markova sestra živi ovdje.

    Marko’s sister lives here.

    Markova agrees with feminine sestra.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Possessive -ov / -ev / -inLevel 3Possessive Adjectives from Names

Learn This First

Derived possessive adjectives retain the agreement behavior of familiar possessive modifiers.

Words in This Pattern

-ov-ev