-s (genitiv)
Possessive -s
In Danish, possession is usually shown by adding a simple -s to the end of a noun (Annas bil). Unlike English, there is no apostrophe in standard cases. Crucially, the noun being owned loses its definite article (bilen becomes Annas bil).
How It Works
The Danish genitive is straightforward but has specific orthographic and syntactic rules:
- No Apostrophe: For most words, just add -s. Example: Hundens mad (The dog's food).
- The S, X, Z Rule: If a word ends in these letters, add only an apostrophe. Example: Lars' bog (Lars' book).
- Digits and Symbols: Digits (13's) and symbols (%'s) require an apostrophe. However, ordinal numbers (like 2.s) do not take an apostrophe.
- Abbreviations: Initialisms (pronounced letter by letter, like USA or PC) require an apostrophe (USA's). Acronyms (pronounced as words, like NATO) can take either an apostrophe or just the -s (NATOs or NATO's).
- Adjective Agreement: When a genitive -s is used, a following adjective uses the appropriate definite form, usually the definite -e ending. Example: Min fars gamle hus (My father's old house).
- Determiner Rule: The following noun must be in its indefinite form. You cannot say Annas bilen; it must be Annas bil. This is known as no double definiteness.
- Group Genitive: If a whole phrase owns something, the -s goes on the very last word of that phrase. Example: Manden med den røde hats cykel (The man with the red hat's bike).
Abbreviation details: After an abbreviation ending in a period, attach s directly: Kbh.s and en cand.mag.s muligheder; do not insert an apostrophe between the period and s. The final-s/x/z rule also overrides the ordinary abbreviation rule: SAS’ personale (SAS staff), not SAS’s. Compare USA’s, whose last letter is A. These are spelling rules, so do not choose solely from how the final sound is pronounced.
Examples (6)
- Det er Annas cykel.
It is Anna's bike.
Word by Word: It is Anna's bike.
Notice there is no apostrophe in 'Annas' and 'cykel' is in the indefinite form.
- Hvor er Mads' nøgler?
Where are Mads' keys?
Word by Word: Where are Mads' keys?
Because 'Mads' ends in 's', we add a bare apostrophe instead of another 's'.
- Annas store bil er rød.
Anna's big car is red.
Word by Word: Anna's big car is red.
When using a possessive -s, the following adjective must take the definite -e ending (store), even though the noun (bil) is indefinite.
- Margrethe 2.s regeringstid var lang.
Margrethe II's reign was long.
Word by Word: Margrethe 2nd's reign was long.
Ordinal numbers (written with a period) do not take an apostrophe before the -s.
- USA's præsident bor i Det Hvide Hus.
The USA's president lives in the White House.
Word by Word: USA's president lives in The White House.
For initialisms like USA or PC, an apostrophe is mandatory before the -s.
- Kongen af Danmarks slot.
The King of Denmark's castle.
Word by Word: King-the of Denmark's castle.
This is a group genitive; the -s attaches to 'Danmark' even though the King is the owner.
Common Mistakes
Using an apostrophe like in English for standard names (e.g., Anna's).
Det er Anna's bil.Det er Annas bil.In Danish, the apostrophe is generally avoided. It is only required for words ending in s, x, or z, or when using digits, symbols, and initialisms.
Using the indefinite form of an adjective after a genitive -s.
Annas stor bil.Annas store bil.Even though the noun is in the indefinite form, the adjective must use the definite -e ending because the genitive makes the whole noun phrase definite; invariant adjectives keep their forms.
Keeping the definite suffix on the owned noun.
Annas bilen.Annas bil.The possessive -s already makes the phrase definite. Adding the definite suffix (-en/-et) is redundant, following the rule of no double definiteness.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the genitive -s, you need to know how to form the definite version of nouns, as the -s is often added directly to these endings. It is also helpful to be familiar with possessive pronouns to understand how ownership is expressed in Danish.
- -en/-etDefinite Suffix (-en/-et)
The genitive -s is frequently attached to the definite form of nouns (e.g., 'bilens'), so understanding how to form the definite singular is essential.
Level 2 - min/mit/mineMy
Understanding the basic concept of possession through possessive pronouns provides the functional context for learning the genitive -s.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- No Double Definiteness
The genitive -s follows the rule where a noun cannot have both a possessive/demonstrative and a definite suffix.
Level 2 - hans/hendesHis / Her
These are the third-person possessive pronouns used instead of names + -s.
Level 1 - Compound Nouns
Danish often uses compounds instead of the genitive -s for inanimate objects (e.g., 'bildør' instead of 'bilens dør').
Level 3 - afOf / by (Af)
The preposition 'af' is often used as an alternative to the genitive, especially in formal or specific relational contexts.
Level 1 - Group Genitive
This explains how the -s is placed when the 'owner' is a multi-word phrase.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -s (genitiv) in Bubblegum
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