Genitive case
Add an -s to a noun to show that it owns something.
How It Works
The genitive case is the primary way to express possession in Swedish. It's similar to using 's in English.
Basic Formation
You form the genitive by adding an -s to the end of a noun or a name, regardless of its gender or number.
- en vän (a friend) → en väns (a friend's)
- hunden (the dog) → hundens (the dog's)
- Sverige (Sweden) → Sveriges (Sweden's)
Important Rule: The Owned Noun
A key rule is that the noun following the genitive form normally has its indefinite form in the ownership construction taught here. You do not add a definite article to it.
- Kattens mat (The cat's food) - NOT Kattens maten
- Pojkens cykel (The boy's bike) - NOT Pojkens cykeln
Nouns Ending in -s, -x, or -z
These normally have no extra genitive ending and no apostrophe: Lars bil, Anders hus, Max bok. An apostrophe can occasionally clarify an otherwise ambiguous genitive, especially when the following noun is omitted; it is not the ordinary rule. You can also rephrase with bilen som tillhör Lars.
A genitive can mark relationships beyond ownership, as in dagens nyheter (today’s news). Do not translate every English of-phrase with av; the suitable construction depends on the relationship.
Examples (5)
- Det är Annas bok.
It is Anna's book.
Word by Word: It is Anna's book.
- Kattens leksak är borta.
The cat's toy is gone.
Word by Word: The cat's toy is away.
- Sveriges huvudstad är Stockholm.
Sweden's capital is Stockholm.
Word by Word: Sweden's capital is Stockholm.
- Jag läser dagens tidning.
I am reading today's newspaper.
Word by Word: I read today's newspaper.
- Vi besökte min systers nya lägenhet.
We visited my sister's new apartment.
Word by Word: We visited my sister's new apartment.
Common Mistakes
Using a definite article on the 'owned' noun.
Jag lånade pappas bilen.Jag lånade pappas bil.In the ordinary ownership construction taught here, the noun after a genitive has its indefinite form. 'Pappas bil' means 'the father's car', so adding the definite ending '-en' is redundant.
Adding an extra -s to a name already ending in -s, -x or -z.
Det är Anderss hus.Det är Anders hus.A name ending in -s, -x or -z normally takes neither another -s nor an apostrophe: Anders hus. An apostrophe is an exceptional option to clarify ambiguity, especially when the following noun is omitted. It is not the regular genitive spelling. An explicit alternative is huset som tillhör Anders.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the genitive case, you need to understand how to form the possessive -s and how it attaches to nouns in their various forms, particularly the definite singular.
- -s (genitiv)Possessive -s
The genitive case in Swedish is primarily formed by adding an -s to nouns, which is the core mechanic of this pattern.
Level 2 - -en/-etDefinite Singular Suffix
The genitive -s is frequently added to the definite singular suffix, so learners must know how to form the definite singular first.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- min/mitt/minaMy/mine
These are possessive pronouns, another common way to show ownership (e.g., 'min bil' - my car). The genitive is used for nouns ('Annas bil' - Anna's car).
Level 1 - Definite articles
Understanding definite articles is crucial because the noun following a genitive is an exception to the rule: it has a definite meaning but uses its indefinite form.
Foundations - avOf/by
Av is used for some relationships, such as authorship in en bok av Astrid Lindgren. It is not a universal substitute for the genitive or English of; compare taket på huset.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Genitive case in Bubblegum
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