-s (bezit)
Possession with -s
Dutch uses a suffix -s to show that something belongs to a person. Unlike English, you don't always use an apostrophe.
How It Works
In Dutch, the possessive -s is a common way to show possession for people. Follow these spelling rules to become proficient in its use:
- Consonants: If a name or noun ends in a consonant (except s-sounds), just add -s.
Example: Bram → Brams, buurman → buurmans. - Single Long Vowels (a, i, o, u, y): If a word ends in a single vowel letter that sounds long, add 's. The apostrophe prevents the vowel from sounding 'short'. For 'y', this only applies when it functions as a vowel.
Example: Anna → Anna's, baby → baby's. (Note: If 'y' is part of a diphthong, like Ray, it just takes -s: Rays). - Double Vowels & Diphthongs: If a word ends in double vowels (ee, ie, oo, uu) or combinations like 'oe', 'au', or 'ij', just add -s.
Example: Sofie → Sofies, Marij → Marijs. - Sibilants (s, z, x, sh, ce, ch): If a name ends in an 's' sound (including 'ce' as in Maurice or 'ch' as in Mulisch), add only an apostrophe. This also applies to names ending in a silent 's' (like Dumas'). However, names ending in a silent 'z' or 'x' (like Deprez) take a plain -s: Deprezs.
Example: Max → Max', Lois → Lois'. - Abbreviations: Initialisms and abbreviations always take 's, regardless of the last letter.
Example: TV → TV's. - Silent -e or Accents: If a name ends in a silent 'e' or an accented vowel (like é), just add -s.
Example: Lotte → Lottes, René → Renés.
Examples (6)
- Jans nieuwe auto staat voor de deur.
Jan's new car is in front of the door.
Word by Word: Jan's new car stands for the door.
Since 'Jan' ends in a consonant, we simply add 's' without an apostrophe.
- Heb je oma's lekkere koekjes al geproefd?
Have you tasted grandma's delicious cookies yet?
Word by Word: Have you grandma's tasty cookies already tasted?
Nouns ending in a single long vowel like 'a' require an apostrophe ('s) to keep the vowel sound long.
- Lois' broer woont in Amsterdam.
Lois's brother lives in Amsterdam.
Word by Word: Lois' brother lives in Amsterdam.
Names ending in an 's' sound only take an apostrophe, with no extra 's'.
- Sofies fiets is blauw.
Sofie's bike is blue.
Word by Word: Sofie's bike is blue.
Names ending in double vowels like 'ie' or 'ee' just take a bare -s because the pronunciation is already clear.
- De buurmans hond blaft veel.
The neighbor's dog barks a lot.
Word by Word: The neighbor's dog barks much.
The -s can be used for common nouns referring to people, like 'buurman' (neighbor).
- Mijn opa's fiets is kapot.
My grandpa's bike is broken.
Word by Word: My grandpa's bike is broken.
A name or word ending in a long vowel, such as opa, takes an apostrophe before the possessive -s. For things, Dutch normally uses van instead (de afstandsbediening van de tv).
Common Mistakes
Using an apostrophe for names ending in a consonant (The 'English Disease').
Piet's fiets is weg.Piets fiets is weg.In Dutch, you only use an apostrophe if it's needed to protect a single long vowel or if the name ends in an 's' sound. For most consonants, just add 's'.
Using an apostrophe for double vowels or diphthongs.
Sofie's boek.Sofies boek.If a name ends in a double vowel (ee, ie, oo, uu) or a diphthong (oe, au, ou, ei, ij), you do not need an apostrophe. Just add -s.
Using -s for inanimate objects (except abbreviations).
De tafels poot.De poot van de tafel.While -s works for people, for objects you should generally use the van construction.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the possessive -s, you need to be familiar with basic Dutch spelling rules, particularly how vowel sounds at the end of words affect suffix attachment (like the use of the apostrophe). It is also helpful to understand the basic way to express possession using 'van' before learning this more specific construction for names.
Related Patterns
- van + PossessorPossession with Van
This is the alternative way to show possession, mandatory for common nouns and often used for names as well.
Level 1 - 'sPlural with 'S
The spelling rule for 's in possession is identical to the rule for plurals ending in long vowels.
Level 1 - mijnMy
Possessive pronouns like 'mijn' (my) are another way to show ownership without using names.
Level 1 - Open and Closed Syllables
Understanding vowel length helps explain why the apostrophe is needed for names ending in 'a, o, u, i, y'.
Foundations
Words in This Pattern
Practice -s (bezit) in Bubblegum
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