-s (genitiv)

Possessive -s

Level 2

Add an -s to a noun or name to show that something belongs to it, similar to 's in English.

How It Works

In Swedish, showing possession is straightforward. The most common way is by adding an -s to the end of the noun or name that owns something. This is very similar to the English 's, but with one key difference: no apostrophe precedes the added s in the ordinary Annas pattern.

Basic Rule:
Add -s to the owner.

  • Anna + s + bok → Annas bok (Anna's book)
  • Katten + s + mat → Kattens mat (The cat's food)

Nouns ending in -s, -x, or -z:
A written name ending in s, x or z normally takes no additional genitive s: Lars bil, Max hus. This spelling rule is not simply a test of the final sound; compare Bordeauxs omgivningar. An apostrophe after an s-, x- or z-final name is exceptional and can help when the genitive would otherwise be unclear, especially with the possessed noun omitted. It is not the ordinary spelling of Lars bil or Max hus.

  • Lars + bil → Lars bil (Lars's car)
  • Max + hus → Max hus (Max's house)

Important Rule for the Possessed Noun:
The noun that is owned (the possession) must be in its indefinite form. It does not take a definite ending.

  • Correct: flickans cykel (the girl's bicycle)
  • Incorrect: flickans cykeln

The same noun-form rule applies with possessive pronouns like min: min cykel also has the indefinite noun form.

A Whole Possessor Phrase
The genitive marker attaches to the end of the possessor phrase: kungen av Danmarks slott. Long phrases can become hard to follow, so rephrase when necessary. This is why simply finding an owner noun is not a complete placement rule.

A following adjective normally takes its definite form, but the noun remains indefinite: Annas nya cykel. Genitives can also express relationships other than ownership, such as Sveriges huvudstad.

Examples (5)

  1. Det här är Annas cykel.

    This is Anna's bicycle.

    Word by Word: This here is Anna's bicycle.

  2. Kattens leksak är borta.

    The cat's toy is missing.

    Word by Word: The cat's toy is gone.

  3. Jag lånade Lars bok.

    I borrowed Lars's book.

    Word by Word: I borrowed / Lars’s book.

    Since 'Lars' ends in -s, no additional -s is added to show possession.

  4. Sveriges huvudstad är Stockholm.

    Sweden's capital is Stockholm.

    Word by Word: Sweden's capital city is Stockholm.

  5. Min grannes hunds namn är Fido.

    My neighbor's dog's name is Fido.

    Word by Word: My neighbor's dog's name is Fido.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an apostrophe before the -s ('s) like in English.

    Det är Anna's bil.
    Det är Annas bil.

    In the ordinary Annas pattern, add s directly to Anna without an apostrophe. The exceptional apostrophe after names already ending in s, x or z is a different case.

  • Using a definite article on the possessed noun.

    Jag läser Marias boken.
    Jag läser Marias bok.

    When a noun is preceded by a possessive form (like 'Marias'), it must be in its indefinite form ('bok'), not the definite form ('boken').

How It Connects

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

-s (genitiv)Level 2Possessive -s

Learn This First

To understand the possessive -s, a learner needs to be familiar with basic nouns and the general concept of possession, which is typically first introduced through possessive pronouns like 'min' or 'din'.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.