A2 Grammar · Unit 1 · Topic 5 of 46
Showing Possession: Names with -s and von
About 3 minutes · examples, common mistakes, Hindi help and practice with answers
In short
Add -s (no apostrophe) to a name before the noun. In speech, von + dative means the same.
Priyas Bruder · der Bruder von Priya
To say whose something is, add -s to the name, with no apostrophe: Priyas Bruder (Priya's brother). In everyday speech, von + dative is just as common: der Bruder von Priya.
How it works
- Name + -s + noun, no article: Priyas Bruder, Mohans Auto.
- Names ending in -s, -ß, -x or -z take an apostrophe instead: Klaus' Wohnung.
- With von: der Bruder von Priya, die Wohnung von meiner Tante.
- von is followed by the dative: von meinem Vater, von meiner Mutter.
Examples
- Das ist Geetas Handy. (That's Geeta's phone.)
- Ravis Schwester wohnt in Köln. (Ravi's sister lives in Cologne.)
- Das ist das Auto von meinem Onkel. (That's my uncle's car.)
- Kennst du die Freundin von Anil? (Do you know Anil's girlfriend?)
हिंदीनाम के साथ -s जोड़कर ‘का/की’ बताते हैं: Priyas Bruder = प्रिया का भाई। बोलचाल में von भी चलता है।
Common mistakes
Using an English apostrophe: ✗ Priya's Bruder ✓ Priyas Bruder. And no article before the name: ✗ der Priyas Bruder.
Practice
Say it in two ways: with -s and with von.
- the car / Mohan
- the flat / Sunita
- the bag / Anil
Show answers
Answers: 1. Mohans Auto · das Auto von Mohan 2. Sunitas Wohnung · die Wohnung von Sunita 3. Anils Tasche · die Tasche von Anil